Sunday, August 2, 2009

Yasmina Siadatan is Sir Alan Sugar's new Apprentice











The 27-year-old restaurant owner was hired by Sir Alan on what she described was the businessman's "gut instinct" despite rival Kate Walsh being in a good position to win.

Yasmina triumphed after the final task which saw the women battle it out to create a new brand of chocolates which they had to pitch to a roomful of in! dustry experts.

Kate and her team, which was made up of former contestants Debra Barr, Ben Clarke, Kimberley Davis and Rocky Andrews, designed a box of chocolates for couples. The concept was praised by Sir Alan but he said charging £13 for a box was not commercially viable.

Yasmina's team, made up of Howard Ebison, Philip Taylor, James McQuillan and Lorraine Tighe, created a brand called Cocoa Electric which was designed to 'shock' with flavours such as basil and strawberry, and chilli-flavoured popping candy.

Sir Alan told her the branding and pricing were excellent but that the taste - which even caused one model to spit out a chocolate after filming the advert - needed work.

After winning this year's series of the TV show, Yasmina said: "I don't feel like I'! ve beaten Kate because I feel we both deserved that job, and w! e feel w e just had different qualities and Sir Alan needed my qualities over hers.