CareerScope Blog

At the time of the FutureChef challenge, Sophie Grunshaw was a Year 10 student at Ulverston Victoria High School. She one of two winners who were champions in the school heat which saw over 15 students from across all the year groups compete, with food technology teacher and Aroma Catering founder Nick Hall overseeing proceedings. Sophie then went on to win the local heat, producing two stunning dishes including squid and squid ink risotto having spent hours practising the skills and techniques she was required to show in school with her teacher.

Sophie’s FutureChef journey came to end at the North West Regional Final, as she obtained a well-fought and deserved second place. In preparation for this, she again worked with her teacher, and also local chef Richard Booth from the Lakeside Hotel in Newby Bridge, Ulverston, who kindly dedicated several hours to offer advice and support, as well as equipment to Sophie.

Since FutureChef, Sophie has volunteered her services on numerous occasions for the charity which her teacher has set up - the Aroma Catering Foundation. The charity aims to raise money to send young people to catering college, a further education option which comes with a hefty shopping list of equipment and transport. Sophie has continued to develop her skill and knowledge, and is likely going to compete again in the 2018/19 Future Chef competition.

Anne Pierce, the CEO of the Springboard Charity, said, “FutureChef supports the food curriculum in schools, and provides a pipeline of culinary talent into the vibrant hospitality industry. The FutureChef competition celebrates young culinary talent and inspires them to enter the exciting expanding world of hospitality.

Terry Tinton, Head of Faculty for Hospitality and Culinary Arts at Westminster Kingsway College, believes that we need to reach children at this formative age, giving them the chance to experience the subject in a timely manner through programmes like FutureChef.

Terry said, “It’s a really exciting industry to go into, takes determination, passion and hard work, but we need to go back into schools. FutureChef highlights the exciting opportunities there are in the industry to move onto a vocational subject, allowing them to work with some fantastic mentors around the country, and get experience in a large Further Education college.”

Further information can be found on FutureChef at: futurechef.uk.net

Information on Aroma Catering can be found on their website - aromacatering.co.uk 

ALL ABOUT SPRINGBOARD…

Springboard helps people of all ages and backgrounds improve their career potential in hospitality, leisure and tourism, especially people who experience barriers to employment and those in education. By so doing, we help reduce unemployment and poverty across the UK and reduce the sector’s skills shortages.

• Equipping with personal, professional and career skills, through first class education programmes.
• Transforming the lives of people by providing tailored quality programmes, dedicated aftercare and access to work experience placements and ultimately, sustainable employment. At the same time we help our employer partners attract, develop and retain talent.
• Providing advice and guidance to inform and guide young people, adults and key influencers about the industry.
• Promoting great place to work, through strategic partnerships with employers, our Ambassador and Alumni network, Government, employment referral agencies, educational establishments and industry bodies.

For more information about Springboard, visit: springboard.uk.net 

Collecting your results is probably the first time you’re receiving official academic results in person. So, what can you expect (and what if things don't quite go to plan)?

The Springboard Charity teamed up with sponsor Hilton Manchester Deansgate last week, to put on a Young Star Chef Evening Podium Takeover for one night only, with 17 year-old Ben Ronan from Burnage, Manchester.

Ben, who attends Manchester College, has been working at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate for just three months. He produced a delicious four course meal for friends and family, and invited guests on the evening of Wednesday 25th July 2018 at the Podium Restaurant.

The menu that Ben designed and created consisted of ‘Pressing of Duck’ starter, with black rice and quinoa, hoi sin, air dried ham and petit salad, followed by a fish course of Grilled Fillet of Mackerel, with potato and grain mustard ecrasee, broad beans and cauliflower. The main course showcased “Ben’s Beef” - feather blade of beef, Anna potatoes, carrot puree, chantenay carrots, wilted spinach, Tenderstem broccoli, and jus. The dessert - “Ronan’s Manchester Mess” - was a creation of berries, cream, meringue banana, coconut and raspberry sugar.

During the evening, The Springboard Charity raffle took place, with a fantastic prize afternoon tea for two at the prestigious Cloud 23, at Hilton Manchester Deansgate – courtesy of Hilton Hotels.

Ben said, “I’m thrilled about being given the opportunity to showcase my skills tonight – I’ve been working on the menu for just a month, and I’ve grown in confidence”.

Executive Head Chef and Springboard Ambassador Stuart Duff said, “it is important to raise the profile of young chefs in our industry and give them opportunities to present their skills and abilities. Young Star Chef is a great initiative by Springboard to showcase young culinary talent”.

Programme Manager Joanne Greenall said, “Young Star Chef has made a return to Manchester, and it is now an initiative to work with business partners who would like to showcase the talents of young chefs already working at the business and host a fundraising dinner for the Springboard Charity”.

Young Star Chef is a Springboard Charity initiative, supported by sponsors and business partners to increase awareness of young chef talent in the hospitality, leisure and tourism industry. The aim of the initiative is to raise the profile of young chefs, and support talent through opportunities to develop, design and create a menu – and takeover the kitchen for one night only.

About The Springboard Charity

Springboard helps to reduce unemployment and poverty across the UK, enabling people of all ages and backgrounds, and especially those who experience barriers to employment, achieve their career potential in hospitality, leisure and tourism.

We do this in several ways:

• Equipping people with personal, professional and career skills, through first class range of training and education programmes.
• Connecting those who are ‘work-ready’ with employers across the UK who provide work experience placements and jobs and at the same time helping those employers attract, develop and retain talent.
• Providing unique career advice and education materials to inform and guide students and adults and their influencers about the industry.
• Working with employers, Government, employment referral agencies, educational establishments and industry bodies to promote the sector as a great place to work.

For more information about Springboard, click here