Jerome Jacob, owner of Real Fruit Infusions company: PHROOTI has been announced as the winner of our start-up support scheme Young Food and Drink Entrepreneur of the Year.

 

The initiative, which was launched in March this year, invited applications from young fine food entrepreneurs looking for assistance with their business.

 

The final was held at the Speciality and Fine Food Fair where the two finalists, Joe Devereux-Kelly of cold brew coffee company Cool Coffee and Jerome presented their products and business plan to a packed out audience.

 

Paul Hargreaves, managing director of Cotswold Fayre said: “This is our third year of running the scheme, which was formerly known as Cotswold Collaborates, and once again I was incredibly impressed with the calibre and passion of the young entrepreneurs that entered.”

 

After the presentations the audience voted in favour of Jerome who was presented with a £1,000 cheque to help grow the business. The ambitious entrepreneur will also receive one to one business mentoring sessions with Paul over the next year.

 

Paul added: “The voting in the final was very close but Jerome just edged it. I am looking forward to working with Jerome and his brand, which offers the market something very different.

 

“I am certain that we haven’t heard the last of Joe from Cool Coffee and I wish him luck with his venture.”

 

Speaking after his win, Jerome said: “After working so hard on PHROOTI for so many months, it's great to have won the Cotswold Fayre Young Food & Drink Entrepreneur title. I couldn't be happier. Next step is to make a full batch of retail ready pouches and take the fight to fruit tea... The fruity revolution is coming!"