A deep love of food, fermentation, and community led Megan Ujakovich and Jacob Morton to create immersive pop-up taverns at Renaissance Fairs and similar events. Fueled by their passion for historical brews, handcrafted foods, and the art of gathering, the duo has been making waves with their Heretics & Hedonists Community Kitchen.

Now, after a successful run at the recent Launch Mid-Valley Startup Bootcamp Weekend, Megan and Jacob are now ready to face the next steps that will allow them to open a permanent home for their unique culinary experience. 

Their journey isn’t just about opening a business. It’s about crafting a space where people can slow down, connect, and experience food and drink in a way that blends history, sustainability, and playfulness. 

A Business Born from Curiosity and Craft

Megan and Jacob are self-proclaimed hobby food scientists – tinkering, experimenting, and learning about traditional and historical food and drink techniques. Jacob specializes in unique, old-world brews that are rarely found in modern breweries, while Megan has a deep-rooted love for kombucha brewing, slow foods, and sustainability.

Together, they’ve brought their love for craft and community to life through Heretics & Hedonists, a name that captures their adventurous, unconventional approach to food and drink.

The foundation of Heretics & Hedonists is engagement. Their pop-up events have been more than just places to eat and drink. They have been designed as immersive experiences where guests can slow down, be present, and connect with others over games and unique beverages.

Their first pop-up season included an appearance at Realms Unknown, a historic-themed event in Washington. Such events provided them with valuable experience in creating a welcoming and memorable atmosphere for diners.

But Megan and Jacob knew that in order to turn their passion into something lasting, they needed guidance and resources. That’s where Launch Mid-Valley came in.

Learning the Business of Passion

The Launch Mid-Valley Startup Bootcamp Weekend, held from January 31 to February 2, 2025, was a transformative experience for Megan and Jacob.

Competing alongside 20 other entrepreneurs, they placed in the top ten, an achievement that underscored the potential of their vision. More importantly, the Bootcamp gave them the knowledge, mentorship, and network they needed to turn their passion project into a sustainable business model.

The weekend-long event also connected them with business coaches, investors, and fellow entrepreneurs who helped refine their strategy, from financial planning to customer engagement and scaling their concept beyond pop-up events.

The Road to a Brick-and-Mortar Tavern

With renewed confidence and a solid plan, Megan and Jacob are now closer to the dream of opening their first physical tavern, where they’ll serve craft brews, small-batch wines, and handcrafted foods in a space designed for connection and play.

Their mission remains the same: creating a space where people can slow down, savor flavors, and immerse themselves in an experience that’s both historic and innovative.

As they make their progress toward opening their doors, Megan and Jacob are embracing the next phase of their journey with the same spirit that started it all: a love for food, a passion for experimentation, and a deep belief in the power of community.

Their story is a testament to what happens when creativity meets opportunity. And thanks to the lessons from the Launch Mid-Valley Startup Bootcamp, Heretics & Hedonists is one step closer to bringing their vision to life.

Ready to take your business to the next level? Launch Mid-Valley offers the tools and resources you need to grow and scale. Get started today by filling out this form.

Launch Mid-Valley, the Mid-Willamette Valley Innovation Hub, with funding from Business Oregon, fosters an innovative entrepreneurial ecosystem where local businesses can connect with investors, mentors, and industry leaders in the counties of Marion, Polk, and Yamhill.