Apprentice contestant Tim fired up for Mexican success

Its range of fast Mexican food has proved a hit with those looking for a fresh alternative to a burger and chips since 25-year-old entrepreneur Tim Stillwell, a former contestant on The Apprentice opened it after appearing on the hit BBC show.

Now the Eat Central outlet is beginning to gain wider recognition and was named one of the top 100 best up-and-coming busineses in the country.

Having recently bagged the title of best Midlands start-up in the Lloyds Bank Enterprise Awards, it has now been named in the 'O2 Smarta 100'.

The list recognises the most resourceful, inspiring and ground-breaking small businesses in the UK. The final winner – to be announced next week – picks up a cheque for £10,000.

Tim, from Birmingham, said: "It really has taken off. People do like the fact that the food is different and that we care about the food we make.

"All our food is made fresh. People like that these days. They don't want deep fried stuff they want healthy fast food and that is what we are offering."

While on a year abroad, Tim was inspired by the joys of Mexican cooking.

On his return to the UK, with just £500 of his student loan he rented a trailer in the heart of the University of Birmingham campus and launched 'The Burrito Van'.

Students lapped up the spicy offerings and the business took off.

In Spring last year he signed the deal for the move to Eat Central and now employs 14 local people.

He added: "I never thought it would go this far. I always had dreams of expanding and it has all become a reality. It really is fantastic.

"We will be opening two new locations in February – one in central Birmingham and one down in London.

"Next year I'll be hoping to open a further five across the Midlands."

Tim added Burrito Kitchen was currently looking at possible changes to its menu and changing its cooking methods to improve what it can offer.

He admits the business takes up most of his time but, like all good entrepreneurs, is still on the lookout for fresh ideas and products.

Tim is also keeping one eye on this year's Apprentice hotshots, having been the second candidate to be fired by Lord Sugar in series nine of the show.

He said: "It is a slightly different format this year with more contestants and they are certainly trying to mix things up, as we saw with last week's triple firing. "The calibre of contestants doesn't look fantastic but it is edited so much. These guys are actually really switched on people.

"It is very much a TV show so they do rely on the fact it will be entertaining so they couldn't really afford not to edit it in a way that makes people laugh."

But despite his early exit, Tim said he would not welcome a return to the boardroom. He added: "I wouldn't go on again. I don't regret going in when I did as I had nothing to lose.

"I had just finished university and didn't really have a great deal else going on.

"The idea is not to be made to look like an idiot because a lot of damage can be done. Now I have got the business and my staff to think about.

"You have to remember that each task actually lasts for three days, yet that is condensed into an hour long episode, with each candidate featured for just a couple of minutes. They can edit it just about however they like."