TWO award-winning chefs have launched an online campaign to raise £10,000 to boost their flourishing business.

Ross Bearman and Ross Whitmill are looking to use crowd funding – a scheme where small investors pool their money into a project – to start a new web-based food shop.

Mr Bearman, 33, said: “We are both really passionate about food and supporting local producers, the economy and our community.

“We work with some of the best food producers in the UK at the Oxford Farmers’ Market and we want to showcase that with this new project.”

The minimum donation of £10 can be made online at Crowdfunder.

Based in Chipping Norton, the pair will stock the shop with specialist food and drink products sourced from producers in the Cotswolds.

Giving cash to the project entitles donors to gifts such as discounts, cheese boxes and food hampers.

“We are hoping by offering all our backers great rewards this will help us build a really supportive community for the future,” Mr Bearman added.

The pair have just won the BBC Good Food Show Midlands Street Food Award and have teamed up with retailers such as Harrods and Harvey Nichols to sell their potted meats and terrines on the high street.

Mr Bearman and Mr Whitmill, 35, hope to promote their campaign at 15 upcoming food festivals and have also been using social media sites to spread the word.

The two chefs have until June 17 to raise the full £10,000. If they fail the money will be returned to investors.