Ludlow Food Festival Food and Drink Bursary 2011-Applications Open
Following the successful launch of The Graeme Kidd Memorial Bursary last year, the organisers of the Ludlow Food Festival have opened up the application process for the 2011 prize.
The bursary aims to help young people aged between 16 and 25, to develop their skills, experience and ultimately their career in food and drink. The bursary will be awarded to individuals who live within a 30-mile radius of Ludlow who would not otherwise be able to move forward in their career.
Last year’s winner was Sam Bruce of Scrummy Bites which specialises in homemade food such as cakes, quiches and tea breads. He is in no doubt about the significance the bursary has had on his business. He said: “Being awarded the bursary gave me much more confidence to pursue my ideas and take my business to the next level. The financial boost helped me with advertising and the purchasing of more equipment.”
Since winning the bursary Sam has launched a new Garden Tea Room in Kingsland and started to supply shops in the area with his products, is regularly asked to do parties and events and in February will be featured on the Good Food channel’s Market Kitchen programme.
He added: “I would say to anyone considering applying for the bursary just go for it. There is nothing to lose and everything to gain, not only the financial support but access to so many people within the food industry.”
The Graeme Kidd Memorial Bursary is a tribute to one of the Food Festival's founders who died in 2009. Graeme was a leading member of the Ludlow community, having made the town his home 25 years ago. He was Mayor of the town for four successive years, leading it during one of the most productive periods in its history and was one of the original, small group of people who hatched the idea of a Food Festival over 15 years ago.
It was due, in no small measure, to his input that the festival has remained true to the principle of helping small, local food and drink producers and businesses. It is still run by volunteers and it still ploughs any profits made back into improving the festival and giving new small businesses the chance to take part, by providing space at very affordable prices.
Any young people who are interested in benefitting from this bursary should call the office in the first instance for more information on 01584 873957 or email info@foodfestival.co.uk.
