Monsoon Kitchens, Queen’s Cups highlight SBA’s Central Mass. honorees

Five Central Massachusetts businesses, including two in Worcester and one in Shrewsbury, are among the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Small Business Week honorees for Massachusetts. 

Swati Elavia, president of Indian restaurant Monsoon Kitchens in Shrewsbury, was named the Small Business Person of the Year.

In Worcester, Renee Diaz, owner of cupcake shop The Queen’s Cups bakery, was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

Dawn Dearborn, president of Tantara Corp., in Worcester, was named 8A Graduate of the Year for both Massachusetts and New England.

Sturbridge-based Optim, a manufacturer of endoscopy products, and Director of International Sales Grace Peterson were named Exporter of the Year for both the state and region. 

In Maynard, Mexican restaurant El Huipil and owner Alma Moreno were named Minority Owned Business of the Year.