LINCOLNSHIRE BUSINESS WINS PRIME SPOT AT UPCOMING LINCOLNSHIRE SHOW

6 June 2022, Press Releases

LINCOLNSHIRE-based street food vendor, Season Street Food, has been revealed as this year’s winner of the Lincolnshire Showground’s annual ‘Grow with the Show’ competition.

As well as securing a prime spot at the showground during the Lincolnshire Show event on 22 and 23 June, the company will receive a £250 cash prize, expert mentoring from Sparkhouse, a complimentary marketing session from Root Studio and point of sale material worth £300 from Ruddocks.

Open to entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 35 years old, the competition aims to help Lincolnshire start-ups by giving them the platform and tools required to excel in the early stages of becoming a new business owner. This year, the competition saw the highest number of entries in three years. Winner, Season Street Food owner, Jenny Salmon, set up the new business venture in April 2022. Specialising in producing artisan sandwiches, toasties and small plates for a feel-good lunch, the company only uses ingredients that are in season and locally sourced.

Jenny said: “Having dreamt about running a street food business for many years, and now requiring flexible working hours to better suit life with a young family, I decided that I wanted to bring delicious and exciting food to the people of Lincolnshire. The whole concept of the business is to raise awareness and improve access to the amazing produce and producers we have in the county and putting Lincolnshire's food scene on the map."

“During the event, I’ll be serving our seasonal, locally sourced menu out of our newly converted horse trailer, while also providing information on where our ingredients are sourced from so customers can support our producers where they can too. I have always been aware of seasonality and the effects food miles have on the taste quality of food, even doing my dissertation on consumer perceptions of locally sourced food, so getting involved in the education of this is something I'm really passionate about."

Grow with the Show is open to businesses under three years old and offers the winners the opportunity to host their own stand at the Lincolnshire Show – which this year, will be taking on a royal purple theme to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Jenny continued: “The Grow with the Show programme is just a brilliant opportunity, it offers great potential to advertise the business in its early stages.

“Having studied Agri-Business Management at university and worked in agricultural insurance previously, I understand the importance of events like this for the agricultural industry. I would like as many people as possible to be able to see our trailer and menu, and experience our amazing food. The show also provides me with the opportunity to talk to customers and discuss our ethos, which is something else I’m really looking forward to.

After much deliberation from the judging panel which was made up of Paul Banton managing director at Ruddocks; Tom Bradley, partner and graphic designer at Root Studio; and Gemma Ball sales and marketing manager at Lincolnshire Showground, five shortlisted entries were invited to a Dragons’ Den style presentation.

Along with winner, Season Street Food, the five finalists included Hannah’s Flowers, Stonedogs UK, Treats Sweets and Eats, and runner up Kookiwood. Kayleigh Andrews owner of Kookiwood upcycles vintage furniture and promotes a more sustainable way of living.

Lincolnshire Showground, sales and marketing manager, Gemma Ball added: “Each year, the Grow with the Show initiative is a fantastic opportunity for young entrepreneurs from across the local area to gain invaluable experience and support. It was certainly very hard to choose the winner of this year's competition, but I can’t wait to see Season Street Food at the show this year and try more of their outrageously good food.

“We’d like to say a massive thank you to all the applicants who showed so much passion for their businesses. A big thank you also goes to our sponsors from Sparkhouse, University of Lincoln Research and Enterprise, Ruddocks, Root Studio, for making this possible. We can’t wait to see you all in June.”