12 best young chefs competing to be 2024 Springboard FutureChef champion announced
Young aspiring chefs from across the UK have been celebrating after being crowned regional winners of a competition to find the UK’s most talented young chefs.
Springboard FutureChef 2024, now in its 25th year, is the biggest school culinary contest in the UK. The school-based programme across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, inspires pupils to develop their culinary talent and supports pupils with entry routes into careers in the kitchen.
Aiming to find the UK’s best young chefs and up-and-coming industry stars, FutureChef is an initiative from Springboard – a charity committed to nurturing young talent and promoting hospitality as a great place to work.
More than 13,000 young teenagers across 12 regions went head-to-head in the competition over the last 12 months, with 81 of them making it to the regional finals – which challenged them to prepare a main course and dessert for two people in 90 minutes.
The four-stage cooking competition comprises school heats, local finals, regional finals, and concludes in the National Final. Each stage gets increasingly more challenging, with a specific skills challenge at the final stage. The dishes were judged by a panel of industry professionals, including Michelin star chefs James Sommerin, Adam Handling and Nieves Barragan, as well as more than 300 chefs from across the UK’s hotels, restaurants, and catering venues.
The 2024 winners from each region will now go on to take part in the prestigious National Final, taking place at Westminster Kingsway College, London on Monday 18th March 2024.
This year’s Springboard FutureChef 2024 regional winners, are:
- North Scotland region winner, Domhnall Bruce, 14 years old, from Portree High School, Isle of Skye.
- Central and South Scotland region winner, Eva Brodie, 15 years old, from Portobello High School, Edinburgh.
- North East region winner, Iris Bedford, 13 years old, from Rodillian Academy, Leeds.
- North West region winner, Millie Jo Lomax, 15 years old, from Poynton High School, Manchester.
- East Midlands region winner, Ella Lovejoy, 16 years old, from Toot Hill School, Nottingham.
- West Midlands region winner, Josh Hurd, 15 years old, from Newcastle Academy, Newcastle Under Lyme.
- East of England region winner, Lola Sycamore, 16 years old, from Comberton Village College, Cambridge.
- Wales region winner, Carys Williams, 15 years old, from Pontarddulais School, Swansea.
- South West region winner, Freya Barrett, 15 years old, from Penrice Academy, Cornwall.
- South East region winner, Pippa Cooper, 16 years old, from Priory School.
- London region winner, Reese Ventura, 15 years old, from St Philomena Catholic School for Girls.
- Northern Ireland region winner, Alex Scates, 13 years old, from St. Columbanus School, Bangor.
Winner of the East Midlands Region, Ella Lovejoy of Nottingham, said “I am thrilled to have won the regional finals in the FutureChef competition. This journey has been a remarkable opportunity, providing invaluable experiences along the way. This is my second year in the competition, and I owe my progress to the support of my family and teachers; their encouragement has been instrumental in my success.”
Lola Sycamore, winner of the East of England region, Cambridge, expressed “My competition journey has been an incredible rollercoaster. I have been able to develop amazing life skills within a kitchen environment and have been fortunate to work with amazing professional chefs as mentors – guiding me through the craft of preparing high quality savoury and sweet dishes. I am grateful to have the opportunity to compete in the National Final 2024. I am honoured to represent the East of England at such a prestigious event and look forward to meeting the other competitors.”
Josh Hurd, from the West Midlands Region, Newcastle Under Lyme continues “I have really enjoyed taking part in the local and regional FutureChef competition and am so happy to have won despite the fact I felt nervous and under pressure due to the 90-minute timeframe. I am so proud to be representing Newcastle Academy as a finalist and look forward to the National Final.”
Alex Scates, of Northern Ireland added “I can’t believe that I’ve won! It’s just amazing, this whole experience has been fantastic. I worked hard and practiced whenever I could to make sure I did my best, and it’s paid off. I am extremely thankful to my mentor, Chef Cathy Adamson for all her help and support. So excited to have won and now representing Northern Ireland at the London UK National Finals in March.”
Since its inception 25 years ago, when just nine schools and 127 young people participated, Springboard FutureChef has grown significantly – with an incredible 225,000 young people aged 12-16 years old having taken part since 1999. They have learned how to cook, enhance their skills, and gained experience in career opportunities within the hospitality industry. This year’s contest was supported by more than 300 industry chefs around the UK as mentors and judges.
It is now the UK’s largest school culinary competition with many going on to establish themselves within the industry, and a long list of successful alumni including; 2015 winner Tom Hamblett, who was crowned 2023 Masterchef Champion, April Partridge, who won the Roux Scholarship in 2023 and was crowned National Restaurant Awards chef to watch in the same year, and Graeme Cheevers, owner of Unalome in Glasgow, who this year retained his Michelin star for the fourth year.
Chris Gamm, chief executive of Springboard, said:“It is more important than ever to keep the prospect of a career in hospitality at the forefront of the minds of students, teachers, and parents, and the Springboard FutureChef competition has played a massive role in this over the past 25 years, with more than 225,000 students taking part during that time.
“By introducing young talent to the world of hospitality and allowing them to experience the level of creativity that comes with it, the competition has enabled many talented young individuals to enter the industry and discover their passions for what the sector offers. Competitions like these are critical because they bring in talented and motivated workers while promoting the industry. It is also great to see competitors having fun and doing what they love.”
Diageo’s Learning for Life programme celebrates decade of success in the UK
Graeme Dey MSP, Minister for Higher and Further Education, joined the celebration on Wednesday (21 February) at Johnnie Walker Princes Street in Edinburgh
Diageo’s award-winning Learning for Life hospitality industry skills programme last night celebrated its 10th anniversary with a toast to more than 6,000 people who have graduated from the course.
Diageo Learning for Life was launched in Scotland in February 2014 as part of an effort to tackle youth unemployment by creating training and employment opportunities in the hospitality industry.
Since then, more than 2,000 people in communities all over Scotland have gone through the programme, and it has grown into a UK-wide initiative with more than 6,000 people in total graduating over the past decade, equipping a wide range of people who have faced barriers to employment with skills and resources for a career in hospitality.
Over the course of the 10 years, Diageo has invested £1million per year in the programme to ensure high quality training, delivered by hospitality training charity Springboard, resulting in 83% of graduates going on to sustained employment.
Last night (Wednesday 21 February) politicians, hospitality leaders and Learning for Life alumni came together at Johnnie Walker Princes Street in Edinburgh to celebrate the anniversary.
Graeme Dey MSP, Scottish Government Minister for Higher and Further Education, attended the event and acknowledged the contribution Diageo Learning for Life has made to people across Scotland.
Graeme Dey, Minister for Higher and Further Education, commented: “The tenth anniversary marks an important milestone for the Learning for Life programme and I would like to congratulate the thousands of young people who have graduated from the course to work in one of Scotland’s most iconic industries.
“I also want to thank all the employers across the hospitality industry for their involvement in this scheme which has helped to provide life-enhancing opportunities for our workforce of the future.
“High quality training plays a vital role in unlocking the potential of our young people to the benefit of the wider economy which is why programmes like Learning for Life are so important to future growth.”
Gillian Dalziel, programme manager Learning for Life, Diageo, said: “We are incredibly proud of what Learning for Life has achieved over the last decade. Seeing the programme’s impact on people’s lives has been a privilege, helping them gain new skills and employment opportunities.
“The hospitality industry is still struggling with skills shortages and through programmes like Learning for Life, we are supporting the sector as well as creating opportunities for our graduates.
“We would like to thank our delivery partners and all the amazing pubs, bars, hotels and restaurants that have supported the programme through work experience and ultimately jobs for our graduates.”
The lead delivery partner across the 10 years of the programme has been Springboard, a charity that helps young and unemployed people in the UK to work in the hospitality, leisure, and tourism industries.
Chris Gamm, CEO, Springboard, said: “Springboard is delighted to have worked with Diageo to deliver Learning for Life over the past 10 years. During that time, together we have had an enormous impact futureproofing the hospitality talent pipeline, giving more than 6,000 individuals the skills and opportunities to find work in our fantastic industry.
“Not only has Learning for Life changed thousands of lives over the past decade, it has also given a number of graduates life changing experiences. As part of their courses, trainees have served the great and the good of the golfing world at the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles in 2014, worked at Barack Obama’s dinner in 2017, gave a cocktail masterclass to Prince Charles HRH in 2021 and met with First Minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf in 2023.
“Learning for Life has also had a huge impact on Springboard’s reach, moving from one team member delivering the programme in 2014 to 26 people all around the UK today. Thank you to all the team at Diageo.”
The Diageo Learning for Life programme has its roots in Latin America in 2008, where it was launched to help tackle youth unemployment. In 2014 Diageo saw the opportunity to make a similar impact in Scotland and the wider UK, while also elevating hospitality as a career opportunity.
Business Partner, Hand Picked Hotels offer vital support to Springboard
Our Business Partner, Hand Picked Hotels, have offered their support in generously sponsoring not just one, but three of our programmes and events.
They are the proud sponsor of the Employee Health & Wellbeing Award at the Springboard Awards for Excellence 2024. This year’s shortlist has now been announced and tickets are on sale, get yours here!
In our milestone 25th anniversary of Springboard FutureChef, Hand Picked Hotels has been a pillar of support, sharing the invaluable expertise of three of their distinguished chefs. Shane Zhao, Alec Mackins and Nigel Parnaby have not only lent their expertise but have actively participated in judging and mentoring, creating a profound impact on the development of culinary talents.
Alec Mackins also returned to support us for another year, after judging and mentoring South East winner and National Finalist Pippa last year. Alec is now mentoring Pippa again, after she just successfully won her Regional Final for the second year in a row – congratulations Pippa! We look forward to seeing them both at the National Final this year.
Nigel Parnaby also offered his support and expertise by judging at the Wolverhampton Local Final.
Shane Zhao, having supported us last year by judging and mentoring North West Winner and National Finalist Zak, returned as a judge at the West Yorkshire local final.
Alongside the Awards and Springboard FutureChef activities, Hand Picked Hotels have also been proud sponsors of our Springboard Ambassador programme.
Here is what Julia Hands, Founder and Chairman, at Hand Picked Hotels had to say about this partnership, “At Hand Picked Hotels, we are always pleased to partner with The Springboard Charity and Springboard UK and are delighted to be a sponsor once again. The unwavering support Springboard give to hospitality, tourism and leisure businesses, and those seeking employment within it from all walks of life, plays a vital role in the sustainability and diversity of our industry. They can be very proud of their achievements and we wish them another successful year.”
We are incredibly grateful for Hand Picked Hotels support and look forward to continuing our successful partnership with them.
Shortlist Announced for Springboard Awards for Excellence 2024
The 50 shortlisted hospitality businesses and individuals competing to win a coveted Springboard Award for Excellence 2024 on 11 April, has been announced.
Springboard was delighted to receive nearly 200 entries and nominations this year, a record number for its annual hospitality awards, which are delivered in partnership with headline sponsor IHG.
The judging panel of industry experts and Springboard Ambassadors praised the exceptionally high standard of entries received across all categories this year, including two new awards for Best Use of Technology and Talent Development Team of the Year.
The awards ceremony will take place at the prestigious InterContinental Park Lane, in the heart of Mayfair, London on 11 April and will be hosted by renowned comedian Simon Brodkin – off the back of his latest comedy tour, and recent TV appearance on The Royal Variety Performance.
The awards recognise and celebrate the UK and Ireland’s hospitality superstars, and those that have gone above and beyond to grow their organisation, look after their people and champion the industry.
Chris Gamm, chief executive of Springboard, said: ‘To be shortlisted for a Springboard Award for Excellence is a mark of hospitality brilliance. The awards are a fantastic opportunity to come together and commend our top businesses and people, showcasing their successes and hugely talented workforces. Yet again, the awards have grown, and the stunning InterContinental Park Lane is the perfect setting for us all to gather, raise a glass and celebrate our incredible industry.’
Tables and tickets are now available to purchase to attend the event HERE.
THE SPRINGBOARD AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE 2024 SHORTLIST:
Fiona Colley Trainee of the Year Award – sponsored by Savoy Educational Trust
Alistair Kemley
Kierra Smith
Natasha Elston
Sophie Pace-Balzan
Best Recruitment Initiative Award – sponsored by Caterer.com
Greene King
Hilton
Liberation Pub Group
Providence Hotels
Z Hotels
Best Apprenticeship Strategy Award – sponsored by HIT Training
CH&CO
Greene King
JKS Restaurants
Mitchells & Butlers
The Vineyard Hotel, Newbury
Academy by Simon Rogan
Employee Engagement Award – sponsored by Boyes Turner
CH&CO
Dalata Hotel Group
Eden Hotel Collection
Elior
RARE Restaurants
Best Training Programme Award – sponsored by Blastness
CH&CO
Dakota Hotels
Leonardo Hotels
RARE Restaurants
Sodexo Live!
Career Development Initiative Award – sponsored by Diageo
Accor
Crerar Hotels
IHG Hotels and Resorts
RARE Restaurants
RBH Hospitality Management
Best Use of Technology Award – sponsored by MAPAL Group
Delaware North
The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences
The Elms
The Lowry
Talent Development Team of the Year Award – sponsored by Hospitality Jobs UK
5 Hertford Street and Oswald’s
Raffles Hotel
Z Hotels
Employee Health and Wellbeing Award – sponsored by Hand Picked Hotels
Dishoom
Eden Hotel Collection
RARE Restaurants
Valor Hospitality
Community Engagement Award – sponsored by 5 Hertford Street & Oswald’s
Aurora Foxes
Craig Prentice, mum
DoubleTree by Hilton London ExCel
Sodexo
Disability Champion Award – sponsored by Sodexo
Cardiff Council
Greene King
Gusto Restaurants
Hilton
Pan Pacific London
Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Award – sponsored by CH&CO
Brewhouse & Kitchen
Elior
RARE Restaurants
The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences
Valor Hospitality
Best Education and Industry Partnership Award – sponsored by San Carlo
Aloft Birmingham Eastside & The Eastside Rooms
Hilton
Sodexo
The Vineyard Group
Academy by Simon Rogan
Sustainable Business Award – sponsored by Franke Coffee Systems
Apex Hotels
Hilton
Leonardo Hotels
Sodexo
Wilson Vale
Springboard Ambassador of the Year – sponsored by BaxterStorey
Ian Higgins, The Ivy Collection
Julian Rose-Gibbs, The Anchor Pub, Digbeth
Kyle Basnett, Gusto Restaurants
Michael Taylor, Sodexo
Best Employer Award – sponsored by Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
5 Hertford Street and Oswald’s
Eden Hotel Collection
Hand Picked Hotels
Nobu Hotel Shoreditch
Permanently Unique
The Belfry Hotel & Resort
Chris Beaumont Outstanding Contribution Award – sponsored by Bidfood
Winner to be announced on the night
Springboard enhances its information security, thanks to Amentum and Cranfield Trust
Springboard has completed a 12-month project to ensure our information security practices are well suited to the evolving security challenges in 2023 and beyond. Working with defence contractor Amentum, organised through Cranfield Trust, the project saw our team restructure policy, create and complete bespoke training for the entire team and upgrade hardware and systems.
Leading the project for Springboard, Head of Digital Development, Ted Blackwell said “Springboard set out to secure expert assistance in improving our Information Security position and Jonathan and Jemma’s knowledge of both ISO27001 and the information security landscape has helped us to both align to, and mature within, the ISO27001 framework.
Many thanks to both the team at Amentum and the Cranfield Trust for their support in delivering this project. Amentum’s concise professional guidance, delivered in a friendly environment, challenged us to improve our information security, while also protecting the organisation. Springboard will continue to improve on our journey to align our Information Security to the ISO27001 international standard, with a fantastic start made.“
Amentum‘s UK and International sector CISO, Jon Cornish noted that “The commitment and investment demonstrated by Springboard and in particular its CEO, Chris Gamm and Head of Digital Development, Ted Blackwell, really stood out to us. Springboard demonstrated its passion and determination to raise standards and commit to its Data Protection and Information Security programme.
Throughout the project Springboard made it clear that they want to be best placed to meet and maintain their obligations, protect their people, organisation, valuable assets and important work within the charitable sector.“
Savoy Educational Trust and Springboard join forces to promote hospitality careers to more than 300,000 people
Savoy Educational Trust and Springboard have announced a three-year partnership to promote hospitality careers to more than 300,000 prospects.
They will offer industry training, put on activities in schools and colleges, and market hospitality careers to those searching for work across the UK.
Savoy Educational Trust will be funding three key areas of Springboard’s work between 2023 and 2026:
- Employability Training Courses – supporting 1,156 disadvantaged people per year through a Springboard Training Course, in which they will receive soft skill development, hospitality training, accredited qualifications, CV and interview workshops, work experience, and guaranteed job interviews.
- Careers & Education Activity – allowing 3,128 students and school leavers per year to participate in hospitality takeover days, career hub sessions, and summer school training programmes.
- CareerScope Promotion – attracting 100,000 people per year to the CareerScope portal, where they can learn about hospitality careers, join a Springboard course, or apply for one of over 20,000 jobs or apprenticeships.
Angela Maher, Chief Executive of the Savoy Educational Trust, said: “Partnering with Springboard allows us to make a meaningful impact on the future of UK hospitality by investing in key areas that promote education and employment opportunities.
We believe in the transformative power of education, and through our funding, Springboard will be able to deliver essential employability training courses for disadvantaged individuals, fostering a passion for hospitality among thousands of students and young people, and using CareerScope as a bridge between individuals seeking employment and the wealth of opportunities within the sector.”
Chris Gamm, Chief Executive of the Springboard Charity, said: “We are thrilled to team up with the Savoy Educational Trust in this ambitious and inspiring three-year partnership. By combining our expertise and resources, we aim to open up exciting opportunities in the hospitality industry for more than 105,000 individuals per year; and build on our fantastic work together delivering the Springboard to2022 project, in which we helped 10,384 young people secure hospitality jobs.”
voco St. David’s, Cardiff supports Springboard with nurturing the future stars of hospitality!
voco St. David’s, Cardiff has proudly lent their support to us by opening its doors and extending its superb hosting to over 130 young people from schools in the Welsh capital, at a ‘Springboard Takeover Day’.
The Springboard Takeover Day, sponsored by voco St. David’s, Cardiff, took place on Monday 23rd October 2023. Konstantin Grimm, General Manager, voco St. David’s, Cardiff, welcomed pupils from five local secondary schools – Stanwell School and Sixth Form, Penarth; Cathays High School, Cardiff; Cardiff West Community High School; Fitzalan High School and Sixth Form, Cardiff and Corpus Christi Catholic High School, Cardiff;– to the event, devoted to the magnificent sector that is, hospitality.
Having been greeted by Konstantin and Springboard Ambassadors, students enjoyed a talk from Chris Ireland, Director of Operations UK&I, IHG Hotels & Resorts. Then, alongside other senior representatives from IHG (Gail Bagley, Human Resources Director UK&I; Kirsty Hart, Vice President, Human Resources UK&I; and Lindsey Wakeley, Human Resources Business Partner, South), pupils experienced a dedicated programme of carefully curated 30-minute workshops, as Konstantin explains:
“It’s a real privilege to support Springboard by sponsoring and hosting such a fantastic event here at voco St. David’s, Cardiff. Springboard supports the hospitality, leisure and tourism industries; working with education establishments to help them deliver industry insight and skills development to students as they transition into employment. The Springboard Takeover Day presents young people – the future stars of our industry – with an opportunity to get a feel for the hospitality sector. A special sector, and one that the team here in Cardiff absolutely loves being a part of! With a programme of activities aimed at encouraging students to consider a career in such a fabulous industry, the workshops allowed pupils to experience, in a hands-on manner, how it feels to be a hospitality professional. We’ve been able to show them the variety of roles available, and allow them to gain insight into a diverse range of career opportunities, which they may have been unaware of previously.”
Led by heads of department from voco St. David’s, Cardiff, the skills workshops included laying a dinner table for service and boxing a tablecloth; towel artistry (Housekeeping); hand massage techniques (Spa), marketing (Marketing); pancake making (Kitchen); and mocktail making (Food and Beverage).
Held across the hotel’s Roald Dahl and Dylan Thomas suites, voco St. David’s, Cardiff also provided participants of the Springboard Takeover Day with a delicious lunch – a real treat for students, giving them an insight into the culinary experience provided by the hotel to guests enjoying its Tir a Môr restaurant.
The day concluded with the ‘Rising Star’ awards, which saw certificates and goodie bags awarded to winners from each of the workshop groups. A fantastic way of recognising the incredible talent of the young people who may decide to join the industry!
Speaking about the day, Rebecca Slade, Careers, Education & Employability Programme Delivery Manager, Springboard, comments:
“The Springboard Charity was set up over 30 years ago and our mission is to futureproof the talent pipeline for hospitality by giving young and unemployed people the skills and confidence to launch their careers in the industry. We are absolutely delighted that voco St. David’s, Cardiff was keen to support our vision and host our Takeover Day today. What an incredible opportunity for these local schoolchildren to have an insight into jobs within hospitality. We hope that many will have been inspired today to start their hospitality career path.”
To find out more about voco St. David’s, Cardiff please visit stdavids.vocohotels.com or call +44(0)292 045 4045
Springboard held an Ambassador Networking Event in Manchester!
The latest Springboard Ambassador Networking Event took place on the evening of Monday 30th October in Manchester. It was an event filled with insightful conversations, forming connections, and a shared passion for the future of hospitality.
Hosted by the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, the event brought together industry leaders such as Hilton, Handpicked Hotels, Sodexo, Dakota Hotels, Bills Restaurant, Apex, San Carlo, Boyes Turner, Vine Hotels, and more. Discussions revolved around collaboration, support, and the mission of Springboard.
Keynote speakers Carolina Rowe and Andrew Aston shared some brilliant insights. Caroline highlighted ways businesses can collaborate with Springboard, emphasizing IHG’s commitment to a brighter future for Hospitality. Andrew spoke passionately about mental health in hospitality, emphasizing awareness and support, touching the hearts of everyone present.
In the true spirit of hospitality, the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel offered delicious food and drinks, creating a welcoming and friendly atmosphere for the evening, encouraging guests to mingle and connect. The event provided a chance to make connections, share a unifying passion for the industry, share expertise, and find ways to uplift the hospitality industry whilst guiding young minds towards fulfilling career choices.
Here’s what Patricia, Ambassador Project Lead at Springboard had to say “It was so great to connect with Ambassadors and business partners, some of them for the very first time! It felt like the whole room was buzzing with the energy of the hospitality industry!”
Thank you to all attendees and speakers, and in particular to IHG and Kimpton Hotel for making it possible!
The Springboard Awards for Excellence 2024 are Open for Nominations and Entries!
Hospitality professionals across the UK and Ireland are encouraged to enter themselves or their business in one of 16 categories at the 2024 Springboard Awards for Excellence, which celebrate excellence in recruitment, training, staff development and retention across the industry.
The free-to-enter Awards for Excellence are open to businesses and individuals that have achieved outstanding things over the past 12 months, from providing an exceptional and inclusive guest experience, improved your team’s loyalty and retention, or made a significant impact within your community.
Delivered in partnership with headline sponsor IHG, the awards ceremony will take place at the prestigious InterContinental Park Lane, London on Thursday 11 April 2024. Two new awards have also been added for 2024 – Best Use of Technology, and Talent Development Team of the Year.
The deadline for final entries is Monday 8 January 2024 and the shortlist will be announced in February 2024, along with the opportunity to buy tickets to the star-studded awards banquet.
Businesses winning Springboard Awards for Excellence in 2023 include Gleneagles, Brewhouse & Kitchen, Dishoom, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Wagamama, Z Hotels, and Sodexo.
Looking forward to the event, Springboard’s CEO Chris Gamm said: “Each year, the Springboard Awards for Excellence ceremony grows in popularity and in 2024 we will continue that trend. It’s a great indicator of the strength of the hospitality industry, the talented workforce within it and the many successes of the industry this past year.”
“The Springboard Awards for Excellence are one of the most prestigious recognitions in the hospitality sector. Being a finalist or winner is a mark of excellence that stands out on your professional journey. The awards ceremony brings together industry leaders and influencers and is a fantastic opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, receiving the exposure your business deserves.”
Join in and recognise the UK and Ireland’s hospitality superstars, who have made outstanding contributions to the vibrant and dynamic industry, including those who have inspired us over the last year with their resourcefulness, creativity, innovative ideas, supporting the growth of their organisation, developing their co-workers, and leading within their communities.
Henderson Foodservice play crucial role in supporting Springboard
Henderson Foodservice have offered their continued support for Springboard, and our Springboard FutureChef programme. Their support at local and regional finals in Northern Ireland has been crucial. Alongside supporting Springboard FutureChef, they have also been strong advocates for our Springboard Ambassador initiative, encouraging those in their business to sign up.
As of recent, Henderson Foodservice have been supportive of our Tourism Northern Ireland Roadshows and Hospitality Takeover Days, where they have delivered culinary skills workshops and spoke to trainees about their career journeys, sharing opportunities within their organisation.
Their support doesn’t stop there. On various occasions, Henderson Foodservice have invited trainees on our Springboard courses to view their premises and offered tours around their departments. They have also assisted in CV and interview skills workshops, conducting mock interviews simultaneously.
Here’s what Roy Dempster of Henderson Foodservice had to say “Henderson Foodservice were delighted in 2021 to be approached by the Springboard Northern Ireland team requesting our local support for their flagship UK National Educational competition FutureChef.
As a business we were happy to support such a worthwhile charity which solely focuses on promoting the Hospitality Industry, inspiring and attracting people into it thereby helping create that all important future talent industry pipeline.
We were fully engaged and attended regional heats with several of our foodservice team involved. It gave Henderson Foodservice the opportunity to engage with our current clients and customer contacts, involving them in the judging process, confirming the interest and impact that we as an organisation have on the success of the Springboard FutureChef programme.
Our involvement also placed us in a pivotal position to meet ‘new customers’ and we grew some of this new customer base as a direct result. As a business we have pledged to continue our support for this competition and look forward to seeing new talent emerging into the industry.”