How to launch and run a successful food business

There are many paths to success in the food business. You could bring a brand new product to market; start your own food shop, or launch an exciting restaurant or pop-up space. During this comprehensive day of talks, some of the UK’s most passionate foodie entrepreneurs share hard-earned advice on getting a new venture up-and-running.

Over the course of the day, you’ll learn everything from how to start a new business, to how to build a brand identity. Plus, you’ll receive insider advice on how to make your food product or eatery stand out in a busy marketplace. The course is suitable for people who are new to the food industry, or business owners who want to expand a small-scale operation. Come along and find out how to turn your idea for a fantastic food business into a reality.

Course content

• Forza Win founder Bash Redford shares advice on starting a new food business from scratch
• Missy Flynn, co-owner of Rita’s Bar and Dining, explains how to build your brand identity
• Planet Organic founder Renée Elliott gives inspiring advice on setting up a food shop
• Joe & Seph’s Gourmet popcorn founder Adam Sopher offers tips on getting stock and dealing with suppliers
• Lily Vanilli founder Lily Jones discusses the importance of craftsmanship when setting up a new food business
• Chocolatier Amelia Rope on how to conduct your own market research – and make your food product look more eye-catching to customers

This course is for you if...

• You have ambitions to launch a new food business – whether a restaurant, pop-up, food shop or product
• You’ve developed a new food product that you’re keen to bring to market
• You already operate a small-scale food business and want to know how to expand or diversify
• You’ve launched (or are close to launching) a food product, and want to know how to get it onto the shelves of major stores and national chains
• You have an idea for a food business or eatery that you think is commercially viable, but find bringing it to market a daunting prospect

You may also be interested...

• How to launch a food startup
• Getting ahead in the food business

Tutor profiles

Renée Elliott opened Planet Organic in 1995. It was the first natural and organic supermarket in the UK, and now has six stores across London. After fifteen years as a Trustee of the Soil Association, Renée joined the Catering Mark Standards Board, which sets the food guidelines for schools, universities, hospitals and care homes across the country. In addition to her work in the food industry, she has written books on weaning babies and feeding children, and teaches baking and cooking from her home in Sussex. Find Planet Organic on Twitter here.

Bash Redford started Forza Win after growing disillusioned with his marketing job. After five years working for brands, festivals and other people’s awesome-sounding events, he decided it was time to create his own. Forza Win now boasts six sell-out events and a reputation for exceptional Italian fare in really exceptional spaces. Bash continues to sail the good ship Forza as well as starting other projects in various places, spaces and industries. Find Forza Win on Twitter here.

Lily Jones started Lily Vanilli, a bespoke cupcake business, from her kitchen in Hackney. She has since opened her own concession at Harrods and Selfridges, as well as her own bespoke bakery/workshop. Her clients include Elton John, Vogue, Lulu Guinness, Hello Kitty, the Saatchi Gallery and Downing Street. Find Lily Vanilli on Twitter here.

Missy Flynn has been working in bars and restaurants for eight years. After graduating with a degree in publishing, Missy moved into Hawksmoor HQ to work on launching and marketing the by-then growing group, opening their restaurants in Covent Garden and Guildhall. She left this role to become co-owner of the successful east London’s Pop-Up Rita’s Bar and Dining and now works as a managing director of Rita’s and as a consultant for restaurants and drinks brands. Find Rita’s on Twitter here.

Adam Sopher is co-founder and director of Joe & Seph’s Gourmet Popcorn. Joe & Seph’s aim is to produce the very best-tasting popcorn in world, using all-natural ingredients. They create a large range of innovative flavours including Salted Caramel, Goats Cheese & Black Pepper and Gin & Tonic. Joe & Seph’s is now available in over 1,000 UK locations as well as 15 countries worldwide. Find Joe & Seph’s on Twitter here.

Amelia Rope is the founder of Amelia Rope Chocolate, producer of award-winning luxury chocolate bars and other goodies. Amelia spent most of her twenties and early thirties working as a PA and manager, as well as studying nutrition, herbal medicine and qualifying as an aromatherapist. Having been creative from an early age, she launched her chocolate company in 2007 with bespoke chocolate truffles and unique crystallised chocolate dipped flora. Find Amelia on Twitter here.

Full course and returns information on the Masterclasses website