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Taste for success Now star chef hopes to bag another award... ; Bristol Post Business Awards 2014 [Bristol Evening Post (England)](Bristol Evening Post (England) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) RISING star chef Josh Eggleton is hoping to top a great 2014 so far by winning at the Bristol Post Business Awards next month. Josh is the creative force behind the Michelin star-rated Pony & Trap in Chew Magna. He is one of the youngest chefs to hold that accolade. So far this year Josh has starred in BBC2's Great British Menu, representing the South West and just missing out on the overall title. Josh has taken a regular slot doing food demonstrations at Harrods in London. He was on the steering group for the recent 10-day Bristol Connections Food Festival. And he is a director on Chew Magna's Community Farm and the Seven Project, a community scheme using urban farm sites to grow organic veg for the local food trade. But it's his business achievements that will be of more interest to the judges in the Young Entrepreneur category. The 30-year-old started his career at a Bristol chip shop 15 years ago before becoming an apprentice with City of Bristol College. He triumphed in the Gordon Ramsay College Scholar competition and went on to develop his craft in Bristol before embarking on his travels. He experienced working with some best chefs in the world at restaurants including Sicily's il Mulinazzo, the New York institution, Chanterelle and the three Michelin starred French Laundry in California. Upon his return to England, Josh soon became one of the youngest pub and restaurant proprietors in the country by taking over the Pony & Trap at just 22, along with his sister Hollie. Now the restaurant employs 17 people turns over Pounds 1 million a year, having increased profits by 12 per cent last year. This will be reinvested in the business with a Pounds 300,000 refurbishment including an induction kitchen that will be more energy efficient and refurbishing the dining room. Josh was also a driving force behind Eat Drink Bristol Fashion, the pop-up restaurant and food festival that takes place in Queen Square. Now in its third year, the event attracts 25,000 visitors annually. Josh told the Bristol Post he was keen to champion and promote the city. "Bristol should be proud of its position as one of the UK's leading food capitals and as I was born and bred here, I am a big advocate for the city, he said." "It's a great place to own a business with its proximity to a countryside and to collaborate with the other suppliers and restaurants on Eat Drink Bristol Fashion." Award categories ? Business of the Year Bristol, sponsored by UWE Bristol ? Young Entrepreneur of the Year ? Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Punter Southall ? Retailer of the Year, sponsored by Broadmead Bristol BID ? Customer Service Award, sponsored by Broadmead Bristol BID ? Family Business of the Year, sponsored by BOM Group ? Innovator of the Year ? Export Award, sponsored by Lloyds Banking Group ? Marketing Campaign of the Year ? Large Business of the Year, sponsored by Smith & Williamson ? Best Creative/Technological Award, sponsored by Ashfords Solicitors ? Leisure & Tourism Business of the Year, sponsored by QBE ? Small Business of the Year, sponsored by First Great Western ? Start-Up Business of the Year, sponsored by Jordans ? Environmental Business Award ? Contribution to the Community Award, sponsored by Renishaw (c) 2014 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |