Ensuring a strong talent pipeline through the Springboard FutureChef programme

Online at the Better Hospitality Conference 1-2pm 20th April 2021

At a time of crisis in our industry where we expect young people will be concerned about considering a career in an industry adversely affected by COVID-19, the work we do in schools to engage and inspire young people has never been more important for the future of our industry. The FutureChef competition is the biggest school culinary competition in the UK for 14-16 year olds, celebrating talent and adding to our long list of successful alumni. FutureChef aims to introduce culinary skills to students earlier and is aimed at 11-16yr olds. FutureChef supports the national curriculum and the development of key life skills whilst inspiring young people to pursue an exciting career within the world of hospitality, futureproofing the hospitality talent pipeline. Industry Chefs and FutureChef Alumni will share how FutureChef has opened the doors to careers for young people passionate about cooking and becoming a chef.

About the speakers

Amanda McDade

Amanda has been with Springboard for 21 years and has extensive experience bringing together industry, schools and colleges across the UK. Amanda shapes our innovative and inspiring, industry-focused resources to help teachers deliver curriculum aligned learning in the classroom. She manages Springboard’s highly successful and valued flagship Programme – FutureChef, offering schools a highly respected education support programme.

Mark Reynolds

Executive Chef and multi award winner Mark started his culinary career in the Army Catering Corps, He swiftly moved to work at the Hilton group working at the prestigious hotel of park lane and the Langham.

Following this Mark worked in the film industry catering for Ewan Macgregor and Liam Neeson to name a few.

Mark now leads the Kitchen at the award-winning Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and is a leading member of the prestigious Craft Guild of Chefs

Nathan Racey

Chef de Partie apprentice working at Tottenham Hotspur stadium under Executive Head Chef Mark Reynolds. Currently doing my level 3 apprenticeship at Westminster kingsway college on day release.

Zoltan Szabo

Hungarian born chef living in Scotland for 16 years with over 22 year of cooking experience from quality leading hotels such as Cameron House on Loch Lomond, Kempinski, Hilton and Principal Hotels.

Jodie Cochrane

Jodie Cochrane is the reigning FutureChef Winner. Jodie beat 16,000+ FutureChef competitors at the FutureChef National Final in 2020. Where she competed against the top 11 other competitors across the UK to scoop the title of FutureChef 2020. From her Local Final win in Glasgow she worked for several months with mentor chef Zoltan Szabo to hone her skills and work on dishes that wowed the judges at every heat.

Jodie is in her final year of high school, after which she is planning to start her career and has been offered an apprenticeship with her mentor chef at the prestigious Cameron House on Loch Lomond.