Westfield and Levi Roots team up to find next big food magnet
The Westfield Stratford City shopping centre has teamed up with Reggae Reggae sauce founder Levi Roots to find the next big food entrepreneur.
Ten years on from having won investment and mentorship through Dragons’ Den, Roots has now created a highly successful business and opened his first standalone restaurant – Levi Roots Caribbean Smokehouse – at Westfield Strafford City in 2015.
Westfield said it is now giving budding food entrepreneurs the chance to get a similar head start in setting up their business as it looks for ingredient inventors, restaurateurs and cuisine creators to pitch their ideas to a panel of experts led by Roots, Westfield’s chief marketing officer Myf Ryan, and a number of other industry experts. The winner will receive personal mentoring from Roots and a kick starter financial injection from Westfield.
Ryan said: “Westfield Stratford City has one of the biggest selections of London’s favourite dining options. Set within the heart of Stratford we are lucky to be able to provide visitors with the food and flavours of the area – through dedicated spaces such as The Street and our food markets. We understand the importance of supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs and encouraging young people in the local community to pursue their dreams. Being able to partner with someone as enigmatic and inspirational as Levi is very exciting and we have no doubt the competition will attract some fantastic ideas form across London’s budding business start-ups.”
With entries for the competition closing on 2 June, applications will be shortlisted and 10 finalists will be invited to Westfield Stratford City to pitch their idea direct to the judging panel, with one winner and a runner up selected.
Westfield Stratford is home to over 150 eating concepts and restaurants offering around 25 different cuisines.
