Dabbers Den 2018 winner announced #Blog

Briony Wilson
30th January 2019

The Dabbers Den competition is now in its 7^th year with 2018 seeing a high number of entries and an extremely high standard of pitches presented to the judges in the den, making it a difficult task to form the final decision of this year’s winner.

With it becoming more important to know where your products are sourced and if they have been locally produced, 2018’s Dabbers Den Winner has been able to embrace this value for her business and brand. We are delighted to announce that the winner of Dabbers Den 2018 is The Weston Biltong Company Ltd.

The Weston Biltong Company began as a hobby inspired by a family holiday to South Africa in 2008 founders Sheryl and Ryan Walker and their children. They began making 3kg of handmade South African dried meats per week for friends and family before establishing the business in May 2016, and has since expanded to drying over 500kg of meat for customers across Cheshire, Staffordshire and other parts of the UK. All the products are handmade using 100% British Beef which supports British Farmers across the UK.

The Dabbers Den judges were extremely impressed with their presentation delivered by Sheryl and Ryan, demonstrating a strong customer base and high quality product, as well as Sheryl and her family’s hard work showcasing their product at Artisan Markets and Food Festivals across the UK.

On receiving the news of their success Sheryl commented: “We are thrilled that the judges saw the potential in our small business and that we are very excited to receive their mentoring over the next twelve months as well as having the extra money to invest into the future of The Weston Biltong Company.”

As first place winners, The Weston Biltong Company will receive a £5,000 cash prize, 12 months accountancy and business mentoring from Howard Worth Accountants, a Business Legal Health check by Poole Alcock Solicitors and a Council Master Class from Cheshire East Council which will help to support and grow the business.

Martin Webb, a Partner at Howard Worth, said “Both Sheryl and Ryan demonstrated to us a business which has been built using enthusiasm, hard work and a product inspired by both British and African cultures. It was refreshing to see a family business continue to grow and we look forward to seeing how their future plans expand the business further.”

There were also prizes for second and third place. Second place was awarded to Sarah Gilsenan with her business Krafty Kidz, a children’s craft company who offer activity mornings and events in Nantwich, designed to inspire young minds to make, create and have fun. Sarah will receive six months support and mentoring from Howard Worth Accountants and a free legal Business Health check from Poole Alcock Solicitors.

Third place went to Sleepgod Ltd founded by Susan Erlam, who provides luxury products to help people sleep better and increase awareness of mental health issues by improving people’s wellbeing. Susan will receive six months support and mentoring from Howard Worth Accountants and a free legal Business Health Check from Poole Alcock Solicitors.

The ‘Dragons’ Den’ style competition is run in partnership by Howard Worth Chartered Accountants and Poole Alcock Solicitors, with support from NatWest and Cheshire East Council.

Further details for The Weston Biltong Company can be found at their website: https://www.thewestonbiltongcompany.co.uk/

Dabbers Den competition details:

Howard Worth Accountants and Poole Alcock LLP solicitors ran their Dragons’ Den-style competition ‘Dabbers Den’ in 2017 for the sixth year.

The Dabbers Panel consisted of:

Martin Webb, Partner at Howard Worth, Scott Harding, Partner at Poole Alcock, Natalie Taylor, NatWest Bank, & Councillor Peter Groves, Cheshire East Council  WWW.dabbersdencompetition.co.uk

For further details please contact: Dawn Beschorner 07708 326104