There are plenty of us who daydream about leaving the office one day and starting up  a food business. However, it also may seem pretty daunting to leap into the unknown  when faced with fierce competition of numerous pulled pork street food  stands popping up on every corner.

Cyntia Shanmugalingam set up Kitchenette to help London’s most promising food  entrepreneurs get started in the business. Kitchenette is UK’s first food startup  incubator, inspired by similar US-based business models, such as La Cocina and Hot  Bread Kitchen. Anyone with an original idea for a food business can apply and join  its 12-week programme, which allows first-timers in the industry to gain access to  London’s key restaurateurs, as well as business and branding advisers.

During the programme entrepreneurs meet with mentors who help them develop  their menu, business plan and brand. In return Kitchenette asks for a 5-10 percent  stake in their company. The programme allows its participants to trade at Feast and  Dishoom, next to London’s heroes such as Caravan and Modern Pantry. The end  goal is ambitious- for some entrepreneurs to open up a restaurant that would rival the  Wagamamas of this world.

The current programme is in its fifth week, and the applicants’ menus contain  anything from Beijing’s savoury pancakes to German waffles. Hopefully, it will  encourage at least some of us to work on plan B and make that South Tibetan food  stand a reality.