The McCain Streets Ahead Programme supports aspiring food entrepreneurs from less-advantaged backgrounds to build commercially viable food businesses.
The programme combines structured workshops, mentoring and industry exposure, culminating in panel day - where participants pitch their business concepts and cook their dishes for investment.
Following investment, participants will now move into the next phase of the programme, including live trading through the new InKERBator initiative.
Lucy Smith, assistant brand manager at McCain Foodservice Solutions, said: “Streets Ahead reflects our commitment to strengthening the hospitality sector by investing in future talent. Panel day is where that commitment becomes tangible - providing funding to entrepreneurs who demonstrate strong commercial potential and a clear route to market.”
Since launch, the McCain Streets Ahead Programme, powered by KERB, has invested in 45 early-stage food entrepreneurs, supporting participants into street food markets, catering opportunities and permanent trading spaces.