A Vicksburg company specializing in artisan, ready-to-eat meals was one of about two dozen featured startup companies at a showcase at New Orleans Entrepreneur Week presented by The Idea Village March 11 to 18.

Billy’s Original Foods, a spin-off of Billy’s Italian Restaurant, showcased and pitched their business plan Thursday as part of the Delta Regional Authority Entrepreneur Network fellowship showcase.

“This is an exciting and wonderful opportunity to be a part of,” CEO Billy Lieberman said. “New Orleans Entrepreneur Week is a major springboard as we launch our line of food products this summer.”

Lieberman said the event was similar to Shark Tank, the ABC television show where entrepreneurs pitch business startups to investors.

“We got a lot of valuable exposure to industry experts and investors down there as well as the opportunity to show our brand and talk to people who know how to market it the right way,” he said. “It’s amazing how many people you meet that know stuff you think you know but you don’t know. It was a learning experience with very wealthy, successful people. We were soaking that all in.”

Currently, the construction is under way for the company’s new facility, located on U.S. 61 North.

Billy’s Original Foods’ three flagship products, lasagna, meatballs and chicken salad, will be available in national grocery chains in June.

Beginning this summer, Billy’s Original Foods will be in Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky.

“If things go well, we will branch out to different states,” he said. “Hopefully it will grow to the whole country.”

At this time, Billy’s Chicken Salad can be purchased at Bop’s Frozen Custard.

For more information about Billy’s Original Foods, visit billysoriginalfoods.com.