Celebrity judges wowed by Springboard FutureChef champion
A 15-year-old cook from east Belfast, whose food wowed celebrity judges Michael Deane and Jean-Christophe Novelli has been crowned the NI winner of Springboard’s FutureChef competition 2022.
Campbell College pupil Michael Thompson walked away with the title after a hotly-contested final at Belfast Met’s Titanic Quarter campus.
Michael left everyone salivating with his stuffed chicken breast and thigh, chicken mousseline and buttery mash followed by an apple tart tatin with Chantilly cream and sugar spirals, not least chef Geoff Baird from competition sponsor Henderson Foodservice.
Speaking afterwards, Geoff said: “Michael has been consistently excellent throughout the whole competition but really created the best plate of food in the final, and impressed us all with his skill and consideration for the entire dish.”
Finalists had a budget of £10 to create one main meal, followed by dessert and were marked on their overall presentation, creativity, taste and skills, as well as their attention to sourcing local ingredients, working towards zero waste and keeping to their budget.
Geoff continued; “Value and provenance are high consumer demands, so this is an essential lesson for our students to learn from the outset, and which they can continue into their career in hospitality, whether that be in the kitchen, front of house or within a managerial position.”
‘So inspired’
Michael Deane added; “I have been so inspired by these young chefs who have shown talent, creativity and a really wide breadth of knowledge which will serve them so well for a career in hospitality in the future. Michael is a very deserved winner from a tough competition, and we’re looking forward to giving him some real-world experience in the EIPIC kitchen very soon.”
Jean-Christophe Novelli was equally impressed, saying: “It has been a pleasure to meet the Northern Ireland finalists and to taste their exceptional cooking, they have shown talent beyond their young years.
“Springboard’s FutureChef competition has inspired them to be creative and learn even more culinary skill that they can take forward in their chosen careers, and I have been honoured to judge each dish and present Michael with his award. It was a privilege to be back in Belfast to judge the Northern Ireland finals, and I wish Michael the best of luck.”
Michael now progress to the grand final of the competition in London to take on the rest of the regional winners from Scotland, England and Wales. As he was presented with his award, he also received an invitation to experience a Michelin Star kitchen at Michael Deane’s EIPIC with Head Chef, Alex Greene.
Kristen Nugent from Dungannon took the runner up accolade with a main of Co. Tyrone roast chicken crown, hassleback potatoes, sprouting broccoli, roast tomatoes and basil pesto, followed by chocolate cake, caramelised banana, vanilla cream and salted toffee sauce for dessert.
