Winner of the Springboard FutureChef 2016 announced

Bethan Disley-Jones, 14, was announced as the Springboard FutureChef 2016 yesterday in the charity's nationwide contest aimed at 12-16 year olds to help them learn to cook.

The competition took place at Westminster Kingsway College, London with 12 finalists competing to be crowned FutureChef Winner 2016. The finalists were selected from 8,000 students who had already competed in school heats and, local and regional finals.

They were asked to cook a two course meal for three people using a basket of ingredients which was judged by leading industry chefs such as Mark Sargeant, Will Torrent and Lahiru Jayasekara. Bethan's winning menu consisted of chicken with sundried tomatoes and chorizo mousse, followed by a dessert of baked pear with raspberry sorbet.

On hearing she won Springboard’s FutureChef 2016 Bethan said: "I entered FutureChef because I saw what past winners had achieved and I wanted the chance to do the same. It’s amazing to have won and I feel FutureChef will give me lots of opportunities for employment."

Bethan wins a spectacular experience at Henley Regatta in July 2016 courtesy of sponsor Sodexo. She will work behind the scenes at the world famous event in the fine dining Fawley Meadows restaurant with Sodexo Prestige Executive Chefs and will join her parents and guests for a meal, a boat trip on the Thames, and a day’s racing along with accommodation. Bethan also receives a year’s student membership for The Craft Guild of Chefs. Her school also receives £400 of vouchers and her mentor chef Gareth Billington receives a commemorative plate.

Springboard’s Dee Smith, Regional Director for London South-East, said: “Congratulations to all of our hard-working, committed finalists – they have all been part of a great FutureChef.  It really is amazing to see the quality of work by young chefs improve year on year, the talent we see as a result of the Springboard FutureChef initiative is remarkable and Bethan is a true winner.”

Springboard’s FutureChef, is a nationwide culinary initiative delivered in 723 schools nationwide. The main goal of FutureChef is to help young people aged 12-16 to learn the vital life skills of cooking and understanding nutrition, as well as providing invaluable insight into and inspiration for building a career within the hospitality industry. Key sponsors include the Worshipful Company of Cooks and the Savoy Educational Trust.

For more information about FutureChef, visit www.futurechef.uk.net