A former kosher food manager for Tesco and a woman who once lived in Israel are two of the contestants vying to become this year’s Apprentice.

The sixth series of Lord Alan Sugar’s reality TV series begins on October 6, with the lineup including Londoner Melissa Cohen.

Ms Cohen, a onetime hairdresser who prides herself on having “single-handedly increased Tesco’s share of the kosher food market to 75 per cent”, cites Richard Branson as one of her idols.

The 27-year-old says she is “analytical, effervescent and intelligent” and goes by the motto: “If you get in my way, I’ll mow you down.”

Also hoping to be hired is Joy Stefanicki, a Southampton-born marketing director who began her career working in her parents' pub.

Ms Stefanicki, 31, says she is a keen traveller and has spent time in Israel, as well as in Peru and the United States.

Her travels were cut short by the recession and she returned home to apply for The Apprentice. Her attitude is to “be careful who you tread on as you go up as it’s likely you’ll need them on the way down.”

Vying for the crown is Alex Epstein, an unemployed 26-year-old who thinks being “different” may give him an edge.

The Manchester-born candidate was also a victim of the economic crisis, losing his job in corporate communications.

This was not the first job Mr Epstein lost; despite gaining ten A stars at GCSE he was sacked as an ice cream maker for Haagen Dazs.

His claim to fame is that he sang for the first President Bush with his school choir.

Lord Alan, likely to be as unimpressed with these achievements as he was with those of the 2008 Jewish candidate Michael Sophocles, said he is “looking for someone who is exceptional.”

He added: “On paper you all look very good. But then again so does fish and chips.

“I need someone who is dynamic and ambitious and is not scared to take a risk. I’m not interested in any Steady Eddies or Cautious Carols.”