Episode Two - Finca and Wholesome Junkies

FINCA was set up in the summer of 2016, and now trades in Liverpool’s Baltic Market. Founders Oli, Joe and Michael believe that Cuban street food could follow the success of brands like Wahaca.

Their signature dish, a grilled Cuban sandwich called a Cubano, filled with meat, mustard, cheese and pickle, sells for £7. They also make their own marinades, pickles, sauces and syrups, offering the attractive scope of further revenue streams. They are looking to secure £150,000 to open in their home town, before rolling out nationally.

Proving to be one of the most popular concepts in the series, FINCA had interest from four investors who set off to see them in action - Darrel Connell, partner with Imbiba Partnership; Jeremy Roberts, CEO of Living Ventures, a northern-based restaurant and bar group; Tim Gee, property director with Allied London; and Lydia Forte of the 5 Star Rocco Forte Hotel group.

Chelsea Campbell, 27, from Manchester, worked as a waitress and front of house for eight years before setting up Wholesome Junkies (pictured) in early 2017. After turning vegetarian three years ago, she read veggie cookbooks and watched documentaries about the ethics of the food industry and decided to become vegan. Once she started making her own nut milks, vegan butters and cheese she knew she was on to something tasty. Looking for investment to grow Wholesome Junkies, Chelsea is after £95,000 to open in Manchester.

Wholesome Junkies attracts the interest of investor Chris Miller, founder of restaurant investment vehicle White Rabbit Fund. He is hoping to make his mark in one of the UK’s fastest-growing food sectors - one in three adults now claim to be eating less meat.