I have so many dreams and projects semi in the pipeline or temporarily on the back-burner. There’s the children’s novel I’m going to write, the play cafe for children and parents or the pop up bangers and mash canteen I will one day open, and the cookery workshops I’ll start to show school kids how to plan and cook easy, healthy meals they can then teach their parents. One day I’ll do them all. The time’s not right just now. But one day. I promise.

Perhaps the time is right though for you to make your dream a reality? Maybe you have a foodie project of your own in the pipeline? If you do, sit up and pay attention. This could be just the opportunity you need to kick-start your career in food (or film, or photography, or music), and see you partnered with an incredible celebrity mentor to help you realize your brilliant idea.

Launching People

Samsung’s Launching People initiative brings together pop-up chef and Sunday Times cook Gizzi Erskine, award-winning actor and producer Idris Elba, portrait and fashion photographer Rankin and singer-songwriter Paloma Faith, on a search for undiscovered British and Irish talent. They will act as mentors as they help food lovers, budding film makers, musical game changers and picture takers launch their original ideas.

The chosen candidates will work with one of the four inspirational mentors to collaborate on a unique project. Their journey, from meeting the mentors to the launch of their project, will be documented in a television series on Sky 1 to be broadcast later this year.

Personally, I can’t wait to see who will be collaborating on a food project and working one-to-one with Gizzi Erskine. Might it be you?

Gizzi will be looking for outstanding potential in the person and idea she chooses to support. She says:

I want to see someone that has a serious passion for the industry – I want to understand their passion and be able to see and feel it. I want to show that you don’t have to be conventional to be successful. I’m looking for someone who’s happy to break the rules – and maybe teach me a thing or two along the way. The simple ideas can be the best. But a simple idea with a bit of glitter on it is far more exciting.

Do you have that glittery idea?

Watch this video to find out what else Gizzi will be looking for when she’s selecting talent to mentor…

If you’ve got an extraordinary idea and think you’ve got that special something, then head over to www.launchingpeople.co.uk before Thursday 6 March 2014 to pitch your idea. Gizzi, Idris, Paloma and Rankin will each choose one person to work with, helping to bring their ideas to life and launch their project.

How do I get involved?

To apply you need to make a two-minute video all about you and your ambition. This is your chance to show off your passion, your personality, and your project idea, to get the attention of the Launching People mentors. They then just need an image and a little copy and you’re good to go.  You can find out more and upload your submission at: LaunchingPeople.co.uk.

What’s up for grabs?

There are two exciting opportunities for everyone:

1. The mentors will select four candidates with whom they’ll work one-to-one. The chosen protégés will spend two to three weeks together, working closely with their mentors in a house fully furnished with Samsung’s latest technology on their personal projects, building towards a grand launch event and making their ideas and ambitions a reality.
2. And the public will get to vote for one winner in each category to receive £500 for personal tuition and Samsung technology up to the value of £2,000.

Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? Maybe I should think again and come up with a pitch myself…

Disclosure: this is a sponsored post and I was supplied with information by the Samsung Launching People initiative, along with photography and video content. As ever though, all views expressed are completely my own and are 100% honest.