Springboard FutureChef celebrates 25 years of inspiring the chefs of tomorrow
We’re marking our 25th anniversary with a celebration of the former participants who used the competition to kickstart inspirational careers in the hospitality industry.
Over the past quarter of a century, the annual school-based competition to find the UK’s best young chefs and industry stars of the future has been a beacon of inspiration for young talent, fostering their culinary dreams and propelling them towards successful careers in the culinary world.
Since its inception in 1999, Springboard FutureChef has captivated the hearts and minds of thousands of young aspiring chefs from schools across the country. This annual culinary challenge has provided a platform for them to showcase their skills, creativity, and passion for the culinary arts. To date, an impressive 214,000 school children aged 12-16 have taken part, demonstrating the competition’s tremendous impact on the nation’s culinary landscape.
The competition has served as a launchpad for culinary superstars, such as April Partridge, who won in 2009. April has since become the highest-ever ranking female chef in The Craft Guild of Chefs National Chef of the Year in 2020 and was also the Roux Scholarship winner for 2023. Currently serving as chef de partie at The Ivy London, April’s journey exemplifies the potential the competition can unlock for participants.
Other former FutureChef competitors include Michelin Star restaurateur Graeme Cheevers, social media influencer and our latest Springboard FutureChef Champion, Poppy O’Toole, who will be sharing content, videos and supporting the programme in its 25th Anniversary year and beyond, and Ruth Hansom, a Roux Scholarship finalist, winner of a Caterer Acorn Award, finalist of the ‘Great British Menu’ and regular guest on ‘James Martin’s Saturday Morning’ and ‘Saturday Kitchen Live’.
Meanwhile, top chefs including Clare Smyth, Michel Roux Jr, Monica Galetti and Tom Kerridge have all contributed their expertise and passion to nurture the next generation of culinary stars.
DAVID MULCAHY NAMED AS SPRINGBOARD FUTURECHEF CHAIRMAN
Brian Turner Honoured with New Annual Prize
In celebration of the 25th anniversary, Springboard’s FutureChef is thrilled to welcome David Mulcahy as its new chairman, with chef Brian Turner CBE, who has been involved with the competition since the beginning, becoming FutureChef Life Ambassador. Meanwhile, a new annual award – the Brian Turner Best Taste Prize, sponsored by Wellocks– will be handed out for the first time this year, in recognition of Turner’s 25 years of support for the competition.
Discussing the 25th anniversary, David Mulcahy said, “It is truly an honour to become Chairman of Springboard FutureChef, as we celebrate its 25th anniversary. Throughout the years, this competition has played a vital role in shaping the careers of countless budding chefs, and I am looking forward to contributing to its legacy of culinary excellence. Together, with the support of Brian Turner and our other renowned chefs and partners, we aim to inspire and empower even more young people to pursue their culinary aspirations.”
The competition is supported by leading industry names including Savoy Educational Trust, Hilton, Sodexo, Worshipful Company of Cooks, CH&CO, BaxterStorey, Compass and Nestle. The 25th anniversary celebrations promise to be a remarkable milestone for the Springboard FutureChef competition, reflecting on the profound impact it has had on the culinary world and the bright prospects it continues to offer for future generations of chefs.
For more information about Springboard FutureChef and its 25th anniversary celebrations, please visit https://futurechef.uk.net/25-years
More than £82k raised during Springboard’s Virtual Race Around the World!
Winners revealed below…
At the start of July, our 24 teams embarked on the colossal challenge of getting as far Around the World as possible, whilst visiting the Seven Wonders along the way. Participants could walk, run, swim or cycle to gain their miles, which were then combined with the members in their teams to move their team along the virtual map.
The month long Virtual Race Around the World has now come to an end and we’re delighted with the efforts put in by our teams to rack up the miles and fundraise for Springboard!
A massive well done to all of our winners and everyone who participated, and a huge thank you to our Sponsors and the companies who donated their generous prizes.
This year’s Virtual Race raised over £82,000 (including GiftAid), beating last year’s Virtual Race total by a whopping £18,000!
The incredible total will go towards supporting young, unemployed, and disadvantaged people to find great jobs in the hospitality industry.
If you haven’t already donated and would like to, the JustGiving page is open until the end of August. You can donate here.
Take a look at what this year’s participants got up to…
Here is the full list of winners and their prizes:
The team that got the furthest Around the World and virtually visited 4 of the seven wonders of the world: Green Team 23
Green Team 23 have won a team prize of Canapes and a drinks reception at Hilton Bankside
The Top Fundraising Team, who raised and incredible £7,730: Kinder Clan
Kinder Clan have won a team prize of canapes and a drinks reception at Apex Hotels
Our Top Fundraising Individual, who raised £4,745: David Kinder
David has won an overnight stay for two, including breakfast and dinner at the Dorchester Collection
Champion Swimmer: Grant Jones
Grant has won an overnight stay for two, including breakfast and dinner at Hand Picked Hotels
Champion Cyclist: Nina Gold
Nina has won an overnight stay for two at One Hundred Hotel Shoreditch
Champion On Foot (running or walking): Marcus Weedon
Marcus has won an overnight stay for two, including breakfast at Cliveden House
Social Media Champions: Tom Alabaster (The Mighty Ambassadors), David Thomas Lapsley (The Mighty Ambassadors), Esyllt Roberts (Team Springboard) and Marcus Weedon (Hospitality Consultants)
They have all won Revolution and Cuban Gift Experiences
Want to participate in next year’s race? Or perhaps your organisation would like to become a sponsor? Register your interest below.
Thank you to our sponsors
Guest Blog: How can hotels improve operational efficiency in 2023?
As the cost of living crisis continues to sweep across the globe, businesses in all sectors are feeling the pressure to maintain profitability while also providing high-quality services to their customers.
One of the most effective ways for hotels to improve their operational efficiency is to invest in technology. Advances in hotel management software can help hotels to streamline their operations, automate repetitive tasks, and reduce labor costs.
Similarly, the use of energy-efficient technologies such as LED lighting and smart thermostats can help hotels to reduce their energy bills and minimize their environmental impact.
Another key factor in improving operational efficiency in hotels is the optimization of staff scheduling. By carefully managing staff schedules, hotels can ensure that they have the right number of employees on hand correctly staffed at all times, thereby minimizing labor costs without sacrificing service quality.
Additionally, hotels can explore innovative staffing models, such as the use of gig workers, to help them reduce labor costs further. Of course, operational efficiency is not just about cost management. Hotels must also strive to provide exceptional service to their guests, even in the face of rising expenses. This requires a deep understanding of the hospitality industry and a commitment to providing personalized, high-quality service at every touchpoint.
With a deep understanding of hotel accounting principles, a commitment to implementing cost-saving measures, and a focus on providing exceptional service to guests, hotels can weather this crisis and emerge stronger and more resilient than ever before. By embracing technology, optimizing staff scheduling, and staying true to their core values of hospitality and service, hotels can continue to thrive in the face of adversity.
Under any market conditions, access to hotel performance data is essential for knowing how and where to improve operational efficiency. HotStats provides competitive benchmarking tools and financial performance reporting to help hoteliers maintain operational efficiency and improve hotel profitability.
Find out more about boosting profitability by managing operational efficiency using HotStats benchmarking tools.
Promoting Sustainable Tourism in Scotland
ASSC Facilitates a Pioneering Partnership between Fairbnb.coop and Springboard, Ushering a New Era of Sustainable Tourism in Scotland
Springboard, a leading UK charity that promotes employability in the hospitality industry, and Fairbnb.coop, an ethical home-sharing platform known for innovation, are delighted to reveal their partnership. The union, which has received endorsement and support from the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC), is set to significantly change the sustainable tourism landscape in Scotland.
Our commitment to advancing the lives of those seeking employment in the hospitality industry aligns seamlessly with Fairbnb.coop’s vision for a fairer tourism model. The agreement sees us becoming the official social project for Fairbnb.coop in Scotland, the perfect match for Fairbnb.coop’s commitment to ethical, sustainable, and responsible tourism in the region.
Fairbnb.coop is unique in the home-sharing arena. By allowing hosts to choose a social project to donate half of the commission fees, Fairbnb.coop ensures that the benefits of tourism extend to the local community. In this case, Springboard is set as the official social project for Scotland, poised to receive funds generated by the partnership.
Alongside offering accommodation, Fairbnb.coop also offers the FairUP.com platform for local experiences, allowing hosts to offer authentic activities and giving guests a chance to truly immerse in the local culture, thus providing a holistic approach to tourism.
The ASSC, serving over 1,700 members operating self-catering properties across Scotland, has been instrumental in facilitating this game-changing alliance. Endorsing Fairbnb.coop to its members, the ASSC is dedicated to advocating for a model of tourism that is sustainable, responsible, and beneficial to all stakeholders, aligning perfectly with the ethos of Fairbnb.coop.
Fiona Campbell, Chief Executive of the ASSC, commented on the development: “The ASSC is proud to endorse this collaborative approach towards sustainable tourism in Scotland. We believe that such partnerships can greatly benefit our communities, guests, and the broader tourism economy.”
Kelly Johnstone, COO of Springboard, commented: “Springboard is delighted to join the innovative partnership with Fairbnb and ASSC across Scotland. Supporting communities is part of our own objectives through getting people into work, alleviating poverty, and reducing unemployment through the work we do in schools and with people looking for work. We are excited to be supporting a great sustainable tourism initiative where we can champion the industry while also attracting new talent to it’.
Emanuele Dal Carlo, President of Fairbnb.coop: “Scotland is a destination like no other; it’s a place where ancient traditions and rich cultural heritage blend with stunning landscapes. We at Fairbnb.coop, are incredibly honoured to start operating in this community in collaboration with both Springboard and the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC). The ASSC’s commitment to fostering a sustainable and responsible tourism industry, in harmony with the diverse communities and unique ecosystems of Scotland, aligns perfectly with our vision at Fairbnb.coop. Springboard’s impactful work in boosting employability within the hospitality industry further underlines the potential of our shared efforts. Together, we aim to enhance Scotland’s tourism sector, focusing on a model that not only celebrates the beauty of this vibrant land and its traditions but also ensures the benefits of tourism reach those who need it most.”
With a shared vision for an equitable and sustainable tourism industry, this alliance holds immense promise for a new era in Scottish tourism. Together, Fairbnb.coop, Springboard, and ASSC aim to pave the way for a model of tourism that puts the community, the environment, and the benefits to local economies at the heart of its operation.
While Fairbnb.coop is still a startup at the beginning of a challenging journey, the ASSC fully endorses its mission. It encourages small landlords in particular to join Fairbnb.coop, understanding that the shared sustainability rules and localised practices advocated by the platform align with ASSC’s commitment to the prosperity of the self-catering sector and the future of Scotland’s tourism economy.Fairbnb.coop, Springboard, and ASSC all share a common goal: to nurture a vibrant and prosperous tourism sector in Scotland that benefits everyone – visitors, locals, and businesses alike.
Find out more about Fairbnb.coop
Find out more about ASSC
Celebrate National Hospitality Day with us
A vibrant showcase of the hospitality industry with fundraising for the top UK hospitality charities
National Hospitality Day is set to take place on Friday, September 29th 2023, marking a significant occasion to honour our hospitality industry, while supporting vital charities. This annual celebration serves as a platform for venues and suppliers across the UK to host events, activities and offers, all with the aim of engaging customers and encouraging them to fundraise for five hospitality charities – The Springboard Charity, Hospitality Action, The Drinks Trust, the Licensed Trade Charity, and Only a Pavement Away.
As National Hospitality Day enters its third consecutive year, it has become a beacon of appreciation for the vibrant and diverse hospitality sector. This day brings together establishments, large and small, and the individuals who work in the industry, alongside suppliers and customers, united in their efforts to showcase the industry’s resilience, talent, and community spirit.
The event provides a fantastic opportunity for businesses in the hospitality industry to engage with their customers and create memorable experiences. Venues can organise unique events, from special themed menus and tastings to interactive workshops and party nights. Suppliers can also extend their support by offering exclusive deals or promotions for participating establishments and making donations.
Crucially, National Hospitality Day emphasizes the significance of fundraising for the UK’s leading hospitality charities. These organisations work tirelessly to provide essential support, guidance, and assistance to individuals, ensuring their well-being and promoting a brighter future. The Springboard Charity, Hospitality Action, The Drinks Trust, the Licensed Trade Charity, and Only a Pavement Away all play crucial roles in enhancing the lives of those within the hospitality sector or who are hoping to join the sector.
CEO of Springboard, Chris Gamm, said “National Hospitality Day is an incredible opportunity for our industry to come together, celebrate our achievements, and support the charities that make a real difference in the lives of hospitality professionals. After the challenges faced by the industry over the past few years, it is more important than ever to showcase our fantastic hospitality businesses. We encourage venues, suppliers, and customers to join us in making this year’s celebration the best one yet.”
For more information on how to get involved, including ideas and resources, visit the National Hospitality Day website at https://www.nationalhospitalityday.org.uk/get-involved-2023.
Guest Blog: A REAL-ly Fantastic Partnership!
As a hospitality-exclusive brand, REAL Hand Cooked Crisps are thrilled to be playing a part in supporting unemployed people – and backing the hospitality industry – through our REAL SPRINGBOARD CHARITY PARTNERSHIP.
The cost-of-living crisis is affecting everyone, and it’s been a hard couple of years for the hospitality industry. We want to help in a very REAL way!
The Springboard Charity supports unemployed people to gain the skills, knowledge and experience needed to flourish in a lifelong hospitality career. This in turn benefits the industry by future-proofing the talent pipeline. 73% of Springboard trainees employed in hospitality roles are still in work after 12 months.
In hospitality, the most popular accompaniment to a drink and a sandwich are bagged crisps and snacks*. REAL Hand Cooked Crisps on-pack messaging will help raise awareness of The Springboard Charity’s unique work, to millions of crisp consumers across the country.
The REAL Springboard Charity partnership crisp packs are already hitting bars, pubs, restaurants, delis and sandwich shops!
Find out more or order FREE POS at realcrisps.com/POS Thank you again to The Springboard Charity for the opportunity to get involved in your REAL-ly valuable work within the hospitality industry.
We held a Hospitality Takeover Day at Principality Stadium
On Tuesday 9th May, we held a Hospitality Takeover Day unfolded at the iconic Principality Stadium. Compass Cymru, a leading hospitality provider, graciously hosted the event, welcoming 153 enthusiastic school students from eight different schools.
The day commenced with an inspiring opening speech from Mark Phillips, Head of Operations at Principality Stadium. His encouraging words urged the students to consider a career in the hospitality sector, setting the stage for an enlightening experience ahead. Barry Rotherham, representing Apprenticeships & Early Careers at Compass, introduced the organization and provided valuable insights into the vast array of career opportunities and apprenticeships available.
Exploring the industry:
Throughout the day, the students engaged in six captivating workshops meticulously designed and delivered by the Compass Cymru and Principality Stadium team. These workshops offered a diverse range of experiences, including a stadium tour that provided a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the inner workings of this renowned venue. Students also got the chance to participate in activities like hospitality box setup, cupcake decorating, mocktail creation, retail role play, and marketing exercises. Each workshop host recognized a standout student from their session, rewarding them with a prize in acknowledgment of their exceptional participation.
As the day drew to a close, the students were invited to share their thoughts and experiences through a feedback survey. An impressive 121 surveys were completed, shedding light on the impact of the event on their perceptions and aspirations.
Results and Insights:
The survey results provided valuable insights into the impact of the Hospitality Takeover Day:
- Broadening Horizons: Before the event, only 11% of respondents had considered a career in hospitality and tourism. However, after attending the event, this number surged to an encouraging 49%, indicating a significant shift in their mindset.
- Positive Ratings: An overwhelming 84% of respondents rated the event as well worth attending, emphasizing the value they derived from the day’s activities.
- Industry Awareness: 53% of respondents mentioned that the event had altered their thoughts on the hospitality and tourism industry in some way, underlining the event’s power to shape perceptions and challenge preconceived notions.
- Increased Understanding: A remarkable 84% of respondents reported gaining a better understanding of the wide range of rewarding career opportunities available in the hospitality and tourism sectors, showcasing the event’s effectiveness in educating and inspiring the students.
- Engaging Workshops: The interactive workshops received high praise, with 97% of respondents rating them as “excellent” or “good,” highlighting their impact in providing hands-on experiences and igniting interest.
- Continued Interest: 89% of respondents expressed their eagerness to attend similar events in the future, indicating sustained engagement and interest in exploring further opportunities within the industry.
We held our first Ambassador Networking Event in London!
On Thursday 27th April, we held our first Ambassador Networking Event in London, hosted by Vacherin and supported by Events @ No 6.
A room full of like-minded people wanting to support the industry came together to learn more about the work we do at Springboard and the Ambassador Programme, finding out how to better engage with young people, particularly about careers in the rewarding but “invisible” world of catering. Also to discover how Hospitality Action can support workplace wellbeing and to see the Ambassador Programme come alive during an interview with some of our trainees.
The afternoon began with an overview of Springboard by our CEO, Chris Gamm, followed by a summary from Ambassador Project Lead, Patricia Teixeira, of the benefits and opportunities the Ambassador programme provides, with a particular focus on the Choose Hospitality Pledge.
Phil Roker, Managing Director at Vacherin provided an insight into the organisation, as well as the support they and their parent company, CH&CO, give Springboard. In his speech, he explored the benefits of contract catering, as an exciting, versatile and rewarding career choice for young people. In his view, it is urgent to unveil the myriad of hospitality careers and career paths to the hospitality professionals of the future, in particular when it comes to the, often secret, world of contract catering.
Camilla Woods, Services Director at Hospitality Actions, shared essential information about the exceptional mental health support that Hospitality Action offer the industry. This includes providing resources for physical, mental, and financial wellbeing through a dedicated 24/7 helpline and a comprehensive support package.
Tony Mullen, Senior Delivery Manager at Springboard, introduced the stars of the evening: Toby Markham and Ben Caffrey. Toby and Ben are Springboard graduates. They used the opportunity to share their journey so far in the hospitality industry and how Springboard and our Ambassadors have supported them with mock interviews and work placements.
The afternoon ended with some networking over drinks, nibbles & crisps, thanks to the generosity of Vacherin, Events @No 6, and REAL Crisps.
Springboard gets involved with Eurovision!
As part of their course in Liverpool, our trainees had a session on Events Management.
The trainees were told at the beginning of the activity, that they would be working together as one team and would form an events company who were bidding to host the Euroclub Launch Party in Liverpool the week before the contest. They were given a brief which included 12 different job roles and between them they had to decide who would take on which role based on their talents and expertise.
One of the trainees, Jordan Baines, put himself forward to the be the Bar Manager and one his tasks included coming up with a Eurovision themed cocktail with a catchy name.
Jordan said “I wanted to go for the Bar Manager role because I wanted to get an insight into bar management including looking at profit margins and how much it would cost to make a cocktail.
I had to come up with a Eurovision themed cocktail, so I started off by researching popular drinks from Ukraine. I knew that I wanted to integrate vodka as part of the cocktail, and I also wanted the drink to represent the colours of the Ukrainian flag – blue and yellow. I did an initial design, costed it up and presented it back as part of our Events Management activity. Everyone was really happy with what I had come up with.
I named the cocktail the ‘UK-rainian’ to reflect the countries of UK and Ukraine. This was to reflect the UK hosting on behalf of Ukraine (last year’s winner).
I spoke to my trainers about attempting to make it during our mixology class the following week. They agreed, and in our mixology class we experimented with a few different versions to decide what would work best.
The version we created in our mixology class consisted of vodka, blue curacao, pineapple juice and aquafaba. This was served in a blue sherbet rimmed coup glass and garnished with two slices of lemon peel.
The other trainees got to try the cocktail and they really enjoyed it! They said they liked the combination of sweet and sour. They also liked its appearance as it looked party-friendly and perfect for Eurovision.
I’m looking forward to watching Eurovision in Liverpool and making this cocktail for my friends.”
At the course graduation, two of Springboard’s trainers came along and made the UK-rainian for the graduates and their guests. This was a slightly different version to the one made in the mixology class.
This version had a base of vodka and blue curacao and rather than having an aquafaba foam, cream was used to give the cocktail a richer taste. It was again presented in a blue sherbet rimmed coup glass and this time garnished with a lemon slice and dried heather.
The graduates and their guests loved the cocktail and it was a great way to celebrate everyone’s success!
The Liverpool trainees with the ‘UK-rainian’ cocktail…
Hospitality superstars celebrated during the Springboard Awards for Excellence 2023
On the 20th of April 2023, the hospitality industry came together for an unforgettable night of celebration and recognition at the Springboard Awards for Excellence 2023, held at the East Wintergarden in Canary Wharf and hosted by the broadcaster and journalist Gordon Smart.
Held and organised by the hospitality charity Springboard, the awards celebrated the achievements of the hospitality industry’s most talented individuals and companies, highlighting the industry’s most inspiring and resourceful leaders, who have shown innovation and creativity in the face of unprecedented challenges.
The 48 shortlisted hospitality businesses and individuals competed for the prestigious awards across 16 categories, with winners selected by a panel of industry experts including Ronan Harte, CEO of BaxterStorey, Diago Masciaga, and more.
One of the most heart-warming moments of the night was the announcement of Toby Markham from London as the winner of the Fiona Colley Trainee of the Year Award. Toby has cerebral palsy and had struggled to find employment as a result. Upon completing Springboard’s Galvin’s Chance programme, Toby landed his first-ever job within the sector.
Discussing his win, Toby said: “Having cerebral palsy has made things more challenging for me, but with the support of the charity, I have been able to develop my employment skills and gain the confidence I need to succeed. I am delighted to have won this award, which recognizes all the hard work and effort I have put in, and it just goes to show that with the right support, anything is possible.”
Speaking about the awards, Chris Gamm, CEO of Springboard, said, “The Springboard Awards for Excellence 2023 provide a fantastic opportunity for the industry to come together and showcase the immense talent and successes of its top businesses. The Awards recognise the hard work and dedication of hospitality superstars and demonstrate the sector’s resilience, creativity, and innovation.
“We are proud to celebrate the individuals and companies that have made an outstanding contribution to the hospitality industry – particularly Toby, whose incredible story and achievement serves as a reminder of the transformative impact that the hospitality industry can have on people’s lives.”
As a leading charity supporting the growth of the hospitality industry, Springboard is committed to celebrating and promoting the achievements of the sectors stars – and the annual Awards for Excellence provide a platform to do just that. The charity helps disadvantaged and unemployed people of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of society to fall in love with hospitality, leisure, and tourism and gain the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to flourish in a lifelong career within these industries.
Springboard has recently celebrated completing its Springboard to 2022 mission, supporting more than 10,000 people, including Ukrainian refugees, care leavers, and those with mental and physical health conditions, into jobs within the hospitality sector.