Food Court Wars to battle at Spring Hill Mall

The second season of Food Court Wars is on the hunt to cast aspiring local food entrepreneurs for a future episode at West Dundee’s Spring Hill Mall, and has called on village officials to promote that to the community.

The show, executive produced by award-winning chef Gordon Ramsay, pits two teams of two food entrepreneur hopefuls against each other as they fight to win their own locally inspired food court restaurant inside the host mall. During the episode, teams will spend between five and seven days testing their concept, marketing their brand, running their outlet for a day and feeding hungry shoppers.

The team that makes the most money gets to open their eatery rent-free for a year at the mall’s food court.

The competition is open to people who already have restaurants and to people who dream of opening their own eatery one day.

Village officials put out their own casting calls this week on the West Dundee Facebook page and within its Twitter feed. They also plan on sharing the information on its website, within its news blast, with the Fox River Valley Public Library District, and other surrounding communities.

Community Development Director Cathleen Tymoszenko says the show will help generate buzz for both the mall and West Dundee.

“Once the restaurant’s open, I think that fans of the show will seek out the restaurant that’s in the mall,” Tymoszenko said. “And that will be beneficial, (with) new people coming out to our area and seeing everything that we have to offer at Spring Hill Mall.”

The show is looking to cast people from West Dundee, the surrounding suburbs and Chicago, said Amy Lee, the show’s casting producer.

“It’s pretty much open to anyone, but they have to be willing to work in that location if they win,” Lee said.

Amy Prew, general manager of Rouse Properties which owns the mall, referred all questions to a Food Network spokesman, who also declined to comment.

Filming is expected to begin in mid-to-late November, Lee said. To apply for the show, send an email to amy@theconlincompany.com that includes: the names of you and your teammate; recent photos; short biographies; the type of eatery envisioned and contact information.