Two single mums from south Wales who have won a competition to run their own catering business in a prize package worth £75k, said it is a ‘dream come true.’

 

Friends Akita Duggan, aged 33, and Paula O’Donovan, aged 40, both from Cardiff, beat off stiff competition from over 150 applicants to win the ‘Cook Up Success’ competition, thought to be the first of its kind in the UK.

 

Described as the opportunity of a life time by competition organisers Costain, Venture Wales and the University of Wales Institute Cardiff (UWIC), the lucky winners will have the chance to run their own catering business serving meals for up to 250 workers every day at the Church Village Bypass, the largest highway construction scheme being undertaken in the UK.

 

Like many people affected by the economic down turn, both Akita and Paula have faced difficult times. Last year Paula lost her catering job of 12 years due to the recession. When judges announced they had won the pair burst into tears of joy.

 

Akita said: “It was such an emotional moment we just started crying, we just couldn’t believe it. There were lots of very strong competitors and we knew we were the under dogs. Since we saw the story in the South Wales Echo and applied to take part everything has happened so quickly, it’s all been a bit of whirlwind.

 

Paula added: “We’ve both had disappointments to deal with so when we found out we’d won it was a dream come true and a bit overwhelming, even the judges shed a few tears. It’s a great opportunity and we’re determined to work hard to provide a great service and to run a successful sustainable business.”

 

Both women have worked in the catering and restaurant trade Paula as a caterer and Akita in sales and marketing. The pair believe their complementary skills will help them make a success of the business.

 

Phil Cooper, managing director of leading business support agency, Venture Wales, and spokesman for the partnership, said: “Akita and Paula have done exceptionally well. The competition was fierce but the judges felt they had the right skills, experience and personal attributes for the role.

 

“They face many challenges but they’re capable, tenacious and determined and they’ll receive an excellent package of support, advice and training that will give them a fantastic head start in business, particularly in the current economic climate,” he added.

 

The business partners, who have named their company A-Kapitul Catering Services, an anagram of their names, are currently busily putting the finishing touches to their business plan. They have also been meeting with bank managers at Barclays, which is also supporting the ‘Cook up Success’ campaign, as well as potential suppliers ahead of launching the business later this month.

 

Paula, a mother to Karleigh, aged 21, and Dane, aged, 17, said: “We will provide customers with good quality freshly prepared food and a varied menu with healthy options as well as more traditional alternatives such as a full-Welsh breakfast and bacon butties.”

 

Akita mother to 13-year-old Georgia, added: “We want the business to be part of the community and we’ll be looking to work with local suppliers. Longer term we’d liked to offer youngsters considering a career in the catering industry work experience placements, support and advice.”

 

The bypass at Cross Inn, Pontyclun, has been commissioned by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council. While, the bypass will be completed in Autumn 2010, and the site and catering unit closed, it is hoped Akita and Paula will have developed the business and expanded into new premises creating a secure long-term future for A-Kapitul Catering Services.