Top chef and successful businessman Gordon Ramsay has joined the search for the UK’s most innovative, technology-using entrepreneurs, it was announced today.
The famous business mentor is joining the judging panel for the BT Business Essence of the Entrepreneur competition, the telecoms company has revealed.
A successful entrepreneur himself, Ramsay set up his first restaurant in London in 1998 and now runs a string of exclusive eating venues in the UK, Middle East, America and France.
He is renowned for his straight-talking approach on the hit show Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares, throughout which he has helped turn many struggling small restaurants around, and is now looking forward to assessing the cream of the nation’s entrepreneurial talent.
“When starting your own business you have to focus on what you do best, and I will be looking for entrepreneurs who have shown real dedication to make their business a success,” Ramsay said.
“I am excited about seeing the variety of small businesses out there and finding the real success stories.”
Now in its second year, the BT Business Essence of the Entrepreneur campaign seeks to identify and showcase the achievements of outstanding small businesses, which have found new ways to succeed in business with the help of technology.
Judges will select 20 winners and will also be on the lookout for the best female entrepreneur, best male entrepreneur, the young entrepreneur of the year and the most original business concept.
Each winner will have the ‘essence’ of their business captured in a picture taken by renowned celebrity photographer Perou. The series of photographs, including a shot of the famous chef himself, will be showcased at an exhibition in November at gallery@oxo on London’s South Bank.
To view last year’s winners’ portraits, for full details and to enter, visit: www.bt.com/entrepreneur. All entries must be made by July 20 2007.
© Crimson Business Ltd. 2007
