Hungry young chef talent: Five years of Future Chef has future proofed industry

Northern Ireland’s reputation for quality hospitality is in good hands, after five years of young cheffing talent was celebrated recently.

Springboard, the charity which helps young people achieve a sustainable career within the hospitality industry, has published its NI impact report looking at the past five years of Future Chef, the charity’s UK-wide, school-based programme and cooking competition which helps young people aged 12-16 develop cooking and life skills, while exploring careers in the hospitality industry.

Since launching in partnership with Henderson Foodservice in 2022, five thriving young finalists have represented Northern Ireland at the UK finals in London and are either working in or studying for a career in hospitality.

In total, 6,254 NI students have engaged across all Future Chef activities, with 2,756 participating in the main competition and 689 who have gone onto a positive hospitality destination.

Chef Geoff Baird, Henderson Foodservice Development Chef has been a steady mentor to all participants and finalists, ensuring they gain as much experience as possible through the many events and initiatives the company takes part in.

Geoff commented; “The impact that Future Chef has had on the five finalists since 2022 is astonishing. For most, the competition was their first time cooking in a professional kitchen and learning from experienced mentors from myself to decorated homegrown chefs such as Chris McClurg, James Devine, John Clark, Garreth Wilson and Artur Fron, and judged by household names including Jean Christophe Novelli.

“I am hugely proud of what each and every student has put into the competition over the years, and the five NI winners continue to do great things, including Michael who has gone on to start his own business ‘Mike’s Pizza’, his very own pizza van located at CIYMS in Belfast.

“Kristen, who actually won the entire UK-wide competition in 2023, works part time in local bakery, Nomad, and has just started a Business Management course at Queens University, and Lubo is currently studying Professional Cookery Level 2 at SRC and working part time as a chef at Killeavy Castle, as well as being a judge in last year’s Springboard Future Chef competition.

“Hannah is studying for her GCSEs including Food and Nutrition, while Alex has recently completed her GCSEs. Angus, who was a contestant in the competition in 2024, now works as a chef in The Galgorm Collection.”

The students’ stories are what spur more and more students to pursue a career in hospitality, with Future Chef their first taste of the industry, as Caitriona Lennox, Head of Springboard in Northern Ireland says; “Our five-year Impact Report for Future Chef shows just how far and wide Springboard’s initiatives can go, with our recent finalists walking examples of what can be achieved.

“They are the product of this competition, however we couldn’t have this much of an impact without our partners and volunteers who go above and beyond. Henderson Foodservice has been our key sponsor in Northern Ireland for the past five years, helping us level up and reach even more schools and students thanks to their investment in the programme.

“Our chef mentors and judges have brought even more star quality, giving students time and advice which is invaluable and have stayed with them. We are so proud and grateful to celebrate a successful five years of the Future Chef competition.”