MORE than 550 of Singapore's most promising entrepreneurs entered the "Martell VSOP The Ultimate Start-Up Space 2011" competition this year, with hopes of propelling their business dreams to the next level.

The prize: A 1,400 sq ft storefront at Boon Tat Street with rent paid up for a year and a start-up cash prize of $20,000. The winner would also receive business management training from international school Insead valued at $29,000.

In the end, it was chef and businessman Jeremy Nguee's Preparazzi - a custom, gourmet meal preparation outfit - that was declared the winner at a celebratory party at Zirca last Wednesday.

Mr Nguee's business concept, which embodied a wide range of services from cooking and delivering customised meals to in-home dining with a personalised chef, found favour with the judges, who had to choose from 10 finalists who showcased their ideas in an innovative fashion and dance sequence that evening.

The judging panel comprised esteemed industry folk - Mr Low Cheong Kee, Managing Director of Home-Fix D.I.Y, Mr. Jimmy Fong, Chief Executive Officer of EpiCentre Holdings, Professor Patrick Turner, Affiliate Professor of Entrepreneurship at INSEAD, and Mr Paul-Robert Bouhier, Managing Director of Pernod Ricard Singapore.

Mr Nguee now plans to use his new shopfront at Boon Tat Street  to reach out and interact with potential clients - planning menus, serving up meals and samples and facilitating the pick-up of Preparazzi take-home dinners.

In addition, he intends to give back to the community by providing employment opportunities at Preparazzi for older workers in the area who may not be able to find work due to lack of education or qualifications.

Photos: Martell VSOP

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