As the first-ever Investec Food & Drink Entrepreneur of the Year hots up in the search for Britain’s food and drink stars, the stellar panel of judges include Luke Johnson, the indefatigable serial entrepreneur who grew Pizza Express from 12 branches to over 250. He owns Patisserie Valerie, Feng Sushi, Flour Power City, The Draft House pub group and Grand Union and much more.
Other judges are Julian Metcalfe, founder of Pret a Manger, which in less than 30 years has grown in to more than 400 shops. He also started Itsu, for Asian-inspired healthy fast food, which has gone from zero to 40 branches.
While Carole Bamford has blazed a trail for organic food, launching the Daylesford Organic brand just over a decade ago, with produce and shops, which have won over 120 awards in recognition of its produce and sustainable farming methods.
Investec Food and Drink Entrepreneur of 2014
Free to enter, Investec Food & Drink Entrepreneur of the Year 2014 uniquely celebrates the person behind the brand. The winner will be the lucky one who has the perfect ingredients in their food or drink business to delight the jury, which also includes Lord Bilimoria of Cobra Beer, Iqbal Wahab of Roast and the Cinnamon Club, and Sir Tim Smit, Co-founder, The Eden Project and The Big Lunch.
• Investec Food & Drink Entrepreneur of the Year closes to entries on Friday 12 September 2014
• Winners announced on Tuesday 6 November 2014 – Stephen Rapoport, founder of Pact Coffee was announced the first-ever Investec Food & Drink Entrepreneur of the Year.
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