Leading contract caterer, Elior UK has relaunched The Big Idea, a Dragons’ Den-style forum event supporting food and drink suppliers of any size.
An innovative sourcing strategy, it allows Elior to scout out suppliers who may have otherwise been under its radar. Applicants chosen by the panel of judges will then work with Elior to bring leading ideas into its sites across B&I, education, sports and stadia and care.
At the end of last year, suppliers submitted their ideas at www.eliorbigidea.co.uk, complete with relevant nutritional, safety, implementation and market data information. Successful applicants then presented their ideas at the forum to a judging panel of key Elior stakeholders from across the business. This process enables them to see their options firsthand, choosing the suppliers that suit their clients’ needs.
Drinkable breakfast snack C'go®, high-end chocolate start-up Conscious Chocolate, alcohol-free beer Free Star and school compliant energy drink ipro particularly impressed stakeholders.
Peter Joyner, food development director at Elior UK, said, “At Elior, we’re big supporters of new innovations and growing businesses. We created The Big Idea to make it easier for these suppliers to approach our business – especially those unknown to us - and give them the opportunity to present their ideas to a group of our most experienced operators.
“At Elior, we value the opportunity to work with creative suppliers on market leading ideas and products that will enhance our business. Thanks to The Big Idea, our sites are always stocked with new, innovative products which really hit the spot with customers.”