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Food entrepreneur scoops national award
Inspired by time spent immersed in Bristol’s food scene, Alex Montgomery launched a business with a focus on sustainability and addressing social inequality.
The entrepreneur, who took part in Bristol24/7 and Square Food Foundation’s How to be a Chef course in 2021-2022, has now scooped a national award from Innovate UK to help grow his venture.
Alex first launched 50 Ways to Cook as a blog for fun, but soon realised the potential it had and now delivers ‘circular food’ workshops to engage young people with the whole food system and sells natural grow kits, with easy-to-grow fruit, veg and herbs.
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The chef credits the time on the How to be a Chef course as a catalyst for launching his own business, which seeks to address challenges such as food insecurity and social inequalities, while encouraging sustainable behaviour change.
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“Being part of the group was such a great experience, especially during lockdown,” Alex tells Bristol24/7.
“We spent one day each week learning various cooking techniques at Square Food’s fantastic kitchen facilities at The Park in Knowle. We also got immersed in the Bristol food scene, visiting various restaurants and growing spaces around the city.
“Having this experience alongside my studies got me really interested in where our food comes from and how it is grown and I started to document it on Instagram under the username @50waystocook.
“I knew I didn’t want to work a ’typical office job’ so I did some searching online and found support with The Prince’s Trust, South West Enterprise Fund and now Innovate UK. This has been instrumental in developing 50 Ways To Cook into a social enterprise, where I now run workshops and provide Natural Grow Kits to get people involved with the whole food system.”
Alex Montgomery credits the time on the How to be a Chef course as a catalyst for launching his own business – photo: Ellie Pipe
Alex, who completed an MSc in sustainable development at UWE Bristol, has been awarded £15,000 to help the business grow, as well as 12 months of tailored business support.
Alex adds: “I’m delighted to have Innovate UK support, it will help me to improve the development and delivery of my offering as we transition to a more sustainable and equitable food system for all.”
Alex seeks to address challenges such as food insecurity and social inequalities, while encouraging sustainable behaviour change, through workshops and grow kits – photo: Alex Montgomery
Main photo: Alex Montgomery
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