Wednesday 14 December 2011
YouTube competition cooks up international success for entrepreneur
FitBrits features short and simple recipe videos for healthy cooking
A Nottingham Trent University graduate and web entrepreneur has become the only UK participant of the international YouTube Next Chef program.
Warren Nash, founder of recipe website and video channel, FitBrits, has been chosen as just one of 15 people to take part in the YouTube program designed to boost the careers of the world's next big chefs who are starting out on YouTube.
Warren first became passionate about cooking during his Business Studies - Strategy and Entrepreneurship degree, and after graduating joined the University's Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, The Hive, to work on his business idea.
He said: "At University I began to learn that cooking from scratch is cheaper, healthier and tastier than more ready-based meals. However, not enough people do it because it's perceived as being too difficult, expensive, too many ingredients etc. So I wanted to launch a site where every recipe is extremely simple to prepare and cook, and what better way to show that than using short, simple videos?"
Along with others from the USA, India, Australia and Canada, Warren won $10,000 worth of YouTube advertising, mentoring sessions with industry professionals and a $5,000 filming equipment package. He will also receive cooking equipment for assignments he will carry out for the YouTube Next Chef channel.
Warren added: "Since I joined The Hive in 2007 I've been receiving mentoring and support and attending workshops to grow the business and keep my finger on the pulse of the online industry. I was approached directly by the competition organisers because they saw the potential in the concept of the website and channel - so hard work does pay off!"
Phil Clarke, student enterprise adviser at The Hive, said: "Warren came up with a great entrepreneurial idea and he's worked very hard to make it a reality. This is a fantastic win for him and will really boost his business."
Watch Warren's latest video on how to make stuffed yorkshire puddings on YouTube .
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