Preparazzi wins Martell VSOP entrepreneurship competition

Jeremy Nguee, the winner, is a chef and businessman who has spent the past two years getting the business up and running. He will be given the keys to a 1,400-square-foot storefront at Boon Tat Street, rent-free for a period of one year; as well as a cash prize of S$20,000, fully-sponsored by Martell V.S.O.P.

He will also receive business management training from INSEAD valued at S$29,000 (US$23,800).

Preparazzi plans, cooks and delivers customised, healthy meals for busy people with sophisticated tastes that want to enjoy meals in the comfort of their own home.

It offers a wide range of services, from ready-to-serve pre-cooked meals to personalised, in-home dining with a private chef.

Nguee also intends to go one step further 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.

“I am truly honoured to have been named the winner of ‘Martell V.S.O.P ‘The Ultimate Start-up Space’ 2011. Preparazzi was up against strong competition, and I feel privileged to have been selected as the winning business idea by the highly regarded panel of judges,’ he said.

“I look forward to opening Preparazzi on Boon Tat Street and being able to service the many time-starved Singaporeans in the area with gourmet meals, creating opportunities for them to connect and bond with their loved ones over meals with the support of Martell V.S.O.P.”

A judging panel, consisting of Low Cheong Kee, managing director of Home-Fix D.I.Y; Jimmy Fong, chief executive officer of EpiCentre Holdings; Professor Patrick Turner, affiliate professor of Entrepreneurship at INSEAD; as well as Paul-Robert Bouhier, managing director of Pernod Ricard Singapore, was formed for competition to judge the Top 10 finalists.

Bouhier said Nguee exemplifies all of the traits of a successful entrepreneur – passion, commitment, and determination – and is the next up-and-coming Singaporean entrepreneur to watch.

“Martell V.S.O.P is committed to supporting entrepreneurship in Singapore and recognising such individuals who embody this entrepreneurial spirit and continue to rise above one’s challenges to achieve great successes,” he added.

He noted that the quality and overwhelming number of business idea submissions received proved that entrepreneurial desire continues to be evident amongst Singaporeans.

The competition has received more than 550 entries.

“As the winner, Jeremy will receive advanced business training from INSEAD and its world-class professors, which we believe will contribute to Preparazzi’s growth and success in the near future,” Miklos Sarvary, dean of executive education at INSEAD, said.