Elior launches Dragon’s Den style competition in bid to discover innovative food products

Elior has relaunched its Big Idea competition, a Dragon’s Den style challenge aimed at discovering innovative food and drink products.

Suppliers of any size can submit their products to the contract caterer, including nutritional, safety, implementation and market data information.

Successful finalists will present a 20-minute pitch to a panel of judges, which will be followed by a Q&A. Judges will select the best products to stock in Elior’s sites across the B&I, education, sports, stadia and care sectors.

Peter Joyner, food development director at Elior UK, said: “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.”

Products submitted previously include Yushoi Snapea rice snacks, Mallow & Marsh snack bars and school compliant energy drink iPro.

Applicants should submit their entries at the Elior Big Idea website.

Founded in 1991, Elior operates catering contracts across a range of markets including business and industry, education, healthcare and leisure markets. It generated €4.89m (£4.19m) in revenue in the financial year 2017-18.