McCain Foodservice Solutions (McCain FS) invests £46,000 into seven new street food businesses through its Streets Ahead initiative.
In late February, the UK's street food sector got a boost from the Streets Ahead program, when seven emerging traders, from less-advantaged backgrounds, received investments through the initiative. McCain Foodservice Solutions and KERB+, the non-profit arm of KERB, partnered to create the program. Each participant received funding ranging from £2,000 to £10,000 from McCain to turn their dreams into reality.
Each participant has spent the last 6-12 months working through McCain’s Streets Ahead programme being coached in what it takes to enter the foodservice industry as a street food operator. The panel day on the 21st February saw seven participants cook their hero dishes and pitch for the chance to receive funding. The results are in, meet those who received investment and will be soon emerging into the sector:
Elinor Jones
Business: El’s Tacos
Concept: Mexican Street food (crafted with sustainable produce from Welsh farmers)
Hero dish: Welsh beef Birra Tacos
Background: Eli, recommended by the Prince's Trust, embarked on the program with a unique background – born in Wales but raised in Liverpool. Realizing the unparalleled quality of Welsh produce, Eli, driven by her passion for food and the desire to be her own boss, swiftly identified the Streets Ahead program as the perfect next step in her journey.
Vision statement: “To create beautiful, delicious, tacos without the guilt of impacting the planet in a harmful way. We aim to do this by using ethical Welsh meat products from trusted farmers. Additionally, all tacos will be handmade, reducing plastic waste dramatically, along with using our own in house pickles, sauces, and dressings prolonging the shelf life to minimise food wastage.”
Investment: £6,000
Mitra & Eshan Razmi
Business: Giant Potato
Concept: Iranian charcoal-smoked giant potatoes
Hero dish: Charcoal smoked loaded potatoes
Background: Mitra and Eshan, a dynamic husband-and-wife duo, ventured from Iran to the UK. Mitra, renowned for her charcoal-smoked potatoes adorned with unique toppings, had long been urged by friends and family to turn her culinary prowess into a business in the UK. Upon joining Streets Ahead, she began shaping her dream with the invaluable guidance of experts from KERB.
Vision statement: To share their authentic charcoal-smoked potato flavours from their home country of Iran with the North London community.
Investment: £6,000
Steven Leung
Business: Foodie Explorer
Concept: ‘BolTaiFan’ Chinese Clay Pot Rice
Hero dish: Beef Rice pot
Background: Having relocated from Hong Kong to the UK, Steven aspired to forge a career in the culinary realm. His dream was to introduce traditional clay pot recipes to the UK audience. Recommended by Volition Community, Steven became an avid participant in every Streets Ahead Programme, emerging as one of our most dedicated participants.
Vision statement: to become the best ‘BolTaiFan’ in town
Investment: £6,000
Ahmed Sinno
Business: Farayyah
Concept: Traditional (Vegan & Vegetarian) Lebanese cuisine with a twist
Hero dish: Homemade Falafel Wraps
Background: Ahmed, driven by his passion for Middle Eastern flavors, joined Streets Ahead to showcase the freshness of ingredients inspired by his Lebanese background. Despite severe nerve pain, he was determined to turn his entrepreneurial dreams into reality. The experts at Streets Ahead worked with him on bespoke solutions to guide him to success.
Vision statement: “We strive to bring you a dining experience that is not only unique but deeply rooted in authenticity.”
Investment: £2,000
You can find out more about McCain’s Streets Ahead Programme powered by KERB+ on their website here: www.mccainfoodservice.co.uk/campaign/streets-ahead-winners/
Stay up to date with current programme participants and trends that are emerging in these incubating programmes.
