Blumenthal grills inventors on kitchen innovations

Since its launch in April the 'Innovation Challenge', has seen hundreds of new ideas submitted from across the UK. The ten chosen finalists presented their idea in a 'Dragon's Den' style pitch to Blumenthal and three other judges, all renowned for creativity in their chosen fields including Paul Pankhurst, chair of British Design Innovation. The final ten innovative product ideas caught the eye of the judges because their ingenious ways of helping to achieve 'perfection' in the kitchen, such as a 'rotating cake tray' and an 'easy clean sieve'. When the 'Challenge Winner' is announced they will receive a £10,000 cash prize, with their idea brought to market and sold in stores nationwide including royalties on any future sales. The finalists ranged in age from 30 to 65 and travelled to Central London from Derbyshire, Sunderland, Shropshire, Kent, Solihull, Essex, Nottingham and Hull to present their ideas in the final judge-off.