Two teams of Business Studies pupils have triumphed at this year’s Suffolk Rising Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 competition, with a brand-new food product in collaboration with local company Stokes Sauces.
Hosted by the University of Suffolk, two teams of Year 10 pupils competed against other Suffolk schools to create a new sauce that is going to be developed and produced by Stokes Sauces and distributed to local food banks.
Presenting to the panel of judges, which included Peter Kerr, Process and Performance Director, and Andy Weatherall, Development Chef from Stokes Sauces, Anna Corden from FIND Ipswich Food Banks and Will Thomas, Head of Business at the University of Suffolk, our first team, Tilly B, Martha W and Isla S, took to the stage first with their pitch of a Stoke’s Pesto – offering Suffolk a taste of Italy made with fresh basil and local organic ingredients.
However, it was our second team, Oli V, Charlie W, Zumi K and Jack B who were the judge’s favourite with their Chip Shop Stokes Curry Sauce winning the top spot. The panel were impressed by our pupil’s pitch highlighting that the product would , not only be readily accepted and easily introduced into the current consumer market, but could also be commercially viable in households, pubs and restaurants.
Kevin Shelver, Head of Business and Economics at Framlingham College said: “We are hugely proud of our pupils who managed to get to the final stage of the competition. Both teams’ presentations were very impressive, demonstrating that the pupils had taken on the advice from the presentation skills workshops hosted by The University of Suffolk.
“Having the opportunity to take part in competitions and workshops like this offers our pupils the building blocks to develop skills, such as public speaking, presentation skills, teamwork, and project management, and give them the grounding to explore future career options, particularly if they are looking to work for themselves.
“We have seen a brilliant uptake, particularly at GCSE level, of students who are keen to explore the ever-evolving world of business and economics. It is a subject that is all around us and awareness is so important in today’s world, and it is more important than ever in today’s competitive market that young people need to be able to be entrepreneurial and equipped themselves with the skills to seek out work and employment opportunities independently.”
Peter Kerr and Andy Weatherall from Stokes Sauces are now in the process of formulating the final recipe and a production slot to bring our pupils Stoke Sauce to life.
