"It's a pretty small operation," Iung says of Tifamade. In fact, currently, it's just her making the food, then heading off on a bike to make deliveries and cater events. "But I think the bike thing here is really different."
Almost all the food she prepares is vegetarian, and she can tweak recipes to be vegan and gluten-free. Iung gets as many ingredients as she can at the farmers' market, usually the ones in Cherry Creek or Boulder. When she heads up to Boulder, she takes the bus: Her bike isn't just a green-conscious shtick; it's her primary form of transportation.
Her operation definitely qualifies as small, which makes it perfect for Daily Candy's Start Small, Go Big contest. "My aunt sent me the link and was like, 'You have to do this,'" Iung says. "There were thirty questions I had to answer and I thought it was just for the Daily Candy executives or whatever, but it turns out they were published when the finalists were announced so that everyone can read the responses to these questions -- which put some private things in there."
Iung is one of three finalists in the Food & Drink category. She's up against a brother-duo of distillers and a couple who make organic popcorn. The prize? A trip to New York City, where the winner attends seminars with the likes of Marcus Samuelsson, Gail Simmons of Top Chef fame, and the folks behind Spanx, Alice + Olivia and Fresh cosmetics. As of this morning, the three contestants were within 5 percent of each other. Voting -- you can vote daily -- ends at 7 a.m. MST on September 15. The winner will be announced on Friday, September 16.
In the meantime, you can get a taste of Tifamade this weekend, at the Betty Brunch at 557 Cherokee Street from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. The menu includes quiche, quinoa salad, cakes and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches; there will also be coffee and mimosas. drink. Trish Tilly of Fresh City Life will be leading a crafty, bike-centric workshop, too; tickets are just $20.
