Ahmed Shabana is a Los Angeles–based venture capitalist, startup advisor, investor, and entrepreneur. Shabana, Managing Director of Parkpine Capital, also has a passion for food. His background in pharmaceuticals, specifically facilitating affordable prescription and over-the-counter drugs to traditionally under-served regions of the world, sparked his entrepreneurial instincts to do something similar with food.
The Hungry Company, his new endeavor, is the result, with Shabana credited as the namesake, author, and host of “The Hungry Entrepreneur” — a print and video narrative that has him traveling the world meeting entrepreneurs, demonstrating how local food and culture contribute to the positive mindset and healthy, sustainable lifestyle essential to growing a business.
Under the same umbrella, The Hungry Foundation provides access to high-tech education after securing basic food, shelter, and healthcare needs of children and families below the poverty line on a global scale.
Not surprisingly, the initial episode of “The Hungry Entrepreneur” is set in Italy. La Cucina Italiana USA catches up with our fellow American while he is on location in Il Bel Paese to talk about his exciting new project and his love of Italian food.
Where did the idea for the Hungry Entrepreneur come from and what do you hope to accomplish with the project?
I host a recurring event, Global Ventures Summit, which brings venture capital opportunities to areas typically under-served by traditional venture capital firms. Most of the magic at the summit actually comes from socializing over culinary experiences, and that really shaped the idea of starting a show in cities around the world focused on culinary experiences, interviewing local entrepreneurs, with some of them being celebrity chefs or restaurant owners themselves. With the frequent traveling to explore new business deals and fundraising for Parkpine Capital, I realized the best way to share my vision with the world is through documenting these culinary, business, and travel experiences. The Hungry Entrepreneur book will document the show but also offer even more detailed recipes and business economics snapshots.
Ahmed Shabana with Chef Giuseppe Di Iorio, filming The Hungry Entrepreneur in Rome.
Why was Italy chosen as the first location to shoot?
If you are talking about food and Italy in the same sentence it doesn’t take much to get people’s attention. I don’t think I ever met someone that doesn’t have that emotional connection with Italian cuisine, and this is really the heart of the effort. Italy is the epicenter, in my opinion, of not just exceptional cuisine but also accessible cuisine. Eating well in Italy is not a privilege; it’s a right. This is the ethos of The Hungry Entrepreneur platform, to find ways through local sources and global entrepreneurship to provide people with access to healthy, affordable food (and other resources) while fostering the quality of life that comes as a result.
Which Italian chefs/restaurateurs are featured, and how did you select them?
The first, as an exclusive, we shot in Rome at Michelin-starred AROMA in the Palazzo Manfredi Hotel. Chef Giuseppe Di Iorio is our first featured chef, and he was a great way to kick off the show, a man rooted in traditional Italian cooking with a modern view of cuisine. We wanted an authentic Italian chef who knew the importance of quality cooking as well as an incredible location, which they have there within the hotel and especially on the terrace overlooking the Colosseum.
Will each show have a similar structure?
Each show will have three elements: the location, the chef, and the entrepreneur(s). For the location, each will be a unique, luxury location known for its authentic cuisine — fine dining among gorgeous ambiance/landscapes. The featured chef will be at the core of each episode as the host (me) and the chef will visit local spots procuring ingredients for the evening’s meal. Along the way, we will discuss what makes the cuisine so special and specific to each location. Authenticity is key here as we really want to promote each city in the best possible way. Finally, I will help the chef (as much as I can!) to prepare the meal. The last element is featuring hand-picked, local entrepreneurs who will discuss how they found success. The guest entrepreneur(s) will then join me and the chef for dinner at the end of the show. This is a perfect scenario as it intersects all of the aspects of the show and the mission.
Who was the guest entrepreneur in Rome?
I spoke with a few entrepreneurs while in Rome. There was Vito Perone, CEO and co-founder at YOCABÈ, and Valentina Primo, founder and CEO of Start-Ups Without Borders. Also, on the culinary side, Alessandro Pepe, founder of Rimessa Roscioli, and his business partner, Lindsay Gabbard. These conversations were extremely interesting and enlightening. I can not wait for the audience to hear what they had to say.
When did you discover a personal love of Italian food?
With my grandmother, who made an Egyptian version of parmigiana. Her mom was 100% European, so the fusion in the kitchen got me exposed early on to appreciate Italian cuisine. I think a lot of people who love food consider themselves part-Italian in a figurative or symbolic way.
Is there a favorite place to eat while you are in Italy?
I know enough about Italian food in Italy at this point to recognize my favorite place to eat is wherever I am, somewhere local. That said, the places I like to be among the locals to eat include the Amalfi Coast and, of course, Roma. And Tuscany. And…
Where is your favorite place to eat Italian in Los Angeles?
Ah, this I can answer without worry. I’d say Bestia in DTLA and Cecconi’s in West Hollywood.
If there are more episodes of The Hungry Entrepreneur filmed in Italy, do you have locations/guests in mind?
Oh, yes. We will definitely shoot more episodes in Italy. We could do an entire season here if it wasn’t for the need to make the platform global, but Italy will remain as a guiding principle of the show and a recurring location. We’re aiming for a Tuscany episode soon. And there will be more to come as we explore more Italian brand partnerships in order to tell our story and actuate our mission.