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Virgin has called up Levi Roots and Clean Eating Alice to hunt for food and drink entrepreneurs

A new programme by Virgin Startup and intu is searching for the UK’s most promising food and drink entrepreneurs, and the pair have called up some culinary heavy hitters to help them in their search.

The Foodpreneur 2017 competition has put out a call for innovative businesses in the food and drink sector to take part in a six-week initiative which could see them selling their wares to millions of intu customers in person and online.

Successful entrants will be given the chance to pitch their business to an all-star line-up of food entrepreneurs, including Reggae Reggae Sauce creator Levi Roots, Instagram star and food author Clean Eating Alice, Ella’s Kitchen founder Paul Lindley, and Jimmy Cregan of Jimmy’s Iced Coffee.

From the initial eight semi-finalists, four will be selected to run their own space at a pop-up unit in one of intu’s regional shopping centres before battling it out at a pitching competition to seal a six-week space at a major UK shopping destination, along with mentoring and advice from Virgin, intu and the panel of judges.

David Fischel, who is intu Chief Executive, said: “Our expert panel of judges’ outstanding credentials across the food and drink industry will play an important part in the competition’s aim of finding and supporting the most creative and innovative new businesses. This includes the opportunity for them to reach millions of intu customers in our centres and online.

“We are delighted to be working with Virgin StartUp to provide such an opportunity and I’m personally looking forward to seeing the caliber of new ideas that this competition is bringing forward.”

This year’s programme marks the third year the competition has been running with previous winners Harry Brompton’s Iced Tea and Cauli Rice gleaning publicity and door opening opportunities after their pop-up stint.

Mei Shui, Managing Director Virgin StartUp added: “We’re into our third year of this fabulous competition and following the success of our previous winners I’m excited to see what’s on the horizon for this year’s entrants.

“A competition like this wouldn’t be what it is without a distinguished and experienced panel of judges; I’m pleased to welcome Alice, Levi, Paul and Jim to this year’s competition. I know they’re going to have a huge positive impact on the whole process.”

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