The owner of a Bracknell-based street food company has transformed her African Caribbean food van into a multi-national catering company supported by celebrity chefs.

Coco Labelle was set up in 2014 by trainee solicitor turned chef Elisabeth Brown.

Her vintage food truck provides a mix of Caribbean and Mauritian cuisine to street markets, high-end festivals and other private events with her unique blend of recipes.

Elisabeth has gained an impressive reputation, with social media endorsements from acclaimed chefs Michel Roux Jr and Nadia Hussain.

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After applying for a tender on the NHS Supply Chain in 2019, Elisabeth was successful on winning a tender for the supply of African and Caribbean frozen meals. 

She has now secured a £168,000 trade finance loan from the Thames Valley Berkshire (TVB) Funding Escalator to enable the business to scale from a kitchen table catering venue to a full-production operation.

This has allowed the company to deliver a contract to supply the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The contract to supply the Commonwealth Games is substantial, with Coco Labelle providing over 110,000 frozen meals across 35 different recipes.  

Elisabeth said: “With the initial expansion loan helping us to grow our operation capabilities, this latest investment has allowed us to take on a contract that we may have otherwise had to decline.

“Large contracts often require a level of up-front investment that small businesses like ours do not have the working capital to support.

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“We are grateful to FSE for taking the time to really consider our proposal, see the full potential of our business and continue to back us as we expand. The support of FSE has been incredible. Thank you”

Simon Blackbourn, Investment Manager which manages the TVB Funding Escalator on behalf of TVB Local Enterprise Partnership applauded Brown on her business expertise.

He said: “Elisabeth is a resourceful entrepreneur who has deftly balanced the demands of building a business from the family home.

“Coco Labelle has a demonstrable track record of growth and profitable trading and with its professional kitchen facilities now in place, is in a strong position to take advantage of the opportunities this brings.

“We are delighted to continue to support Elisabeth as Coco Labelle delivers this contract and we look forward to working with the business as it grows further.”