Birchall Foodservice is Proud to Support the Next Generation of Culinary Talent
As a proud member of the Country Range Group, we’re delighted to support Springboard FutureChef, the UK’s leading school-based cooking competition for young people.
Through our partnership with Country Range, we’re helping to inspire the next generation of chefs, connect with schools and teachers, and build a strong, skilled future for the hospitality industry.
Springboard FutureChef is a nationwide initiative that helps students aged 12 to 16 develop essential life and culinary skills while discovering the exciting world of hospitality.
Every year, more than 25,000 students across the UK take part in school, local, regional and national heats. With guidance from professional mentor chefs, participants learn about nutrition, kitchen safety, sustainability and creativity, all while gaining real-world experience in a professional kitchen.
It’s a competition that builds confidence, celebrates passion and opens doors for young people who dream of a career in food.
As a family business rooted in the North, we care deeply about our industry and the communities we serve. Supporting Springboard FutureChef is our way of giving back, helping to close the skills gap, inspire young talent and highlight the rewarding careers available in catering and hospitality.
By working closely with schools, teachers and Springboard UK, we’re proud to:
- Encourage young people to explore their passion for food
- Support teachers with practical resources and industry links
- Help nurture a pipeline of talented, enthusiastic chefs for the future
- Give back to an industry that means so much to us
We’re not just supporting a competition. We’re investing in people, confidence and careers.
Hospitality thrives on passion, skill and creativity, and Springboard FutureChef captures all three. It gives young people a vital platform to learn, grow and believe in themselves.
The programme helps to:
- Develop essential life skills such as teamwork, organisation and communication
- Build confidence and self-belief through hands-on experience
- Create pathways into employment through mentorship and industry connections
- Strengthen communities by linking schools, chefs and local businesses
For us, supporting Springboard FutureChef is about inspiring young minds and helping to secure the future of the industry we love.
If you’re a teacher or head of food technology, Springboard FutureChef is a brilliant way to bring the curriculum to life.
Your students will gain practical cooking experience, learn from local mentor chefs, and take part in a national competition that builds confidence, teamwork and creativity.
Springboard provides free lesson plans, online learning modules and flexible classroom resources—everything you need to run your own school heats and get involved.
We’re also encouraging our friends and colleagues across hospitality to get involved.
The competition depends on the passion and support of professional chefs and foodservice experts who can:
- Mentor students and share their expertise
- Judge local or regional competitions
- Deliver demos and workshops
- Inspire students with stories from their own culinary journeys
Even a small amount of time can make a big difference—helping students discover their potential while keeping hospitality careers in the spotlight.
Don't just take our word for it
A Shared Mission to Shape the Future of Food
Through our partnership with Country Range and Springboard FutureChef, we’re proud to play our part in building a stronger, more sustainable future for hospitality.
Together, we’re championing food education, creating opportunities for young people, and supporting the talented chefs and teachers who make it all possible.
Because the future of our industry starts in the classroom, and we’re proud to help make it happen.
FAQs
The Springboard FutureChef competition runs throughout the school year. School heats take place between August and November, followed by local finals in November and December, and regional finals in January and February. The National Final is held in March, where the top young chefs from across the UK compete for the title of FutureChef Champion.
Springboard FutureChef is open to students aged 12 to 16 who have a passion for cooking and want to develop their culinary skills. Schools can register their students to take part, and each young chef will have the chance to compete in heats judged by professional mentor chefs.
There are plenty of ways to get involved with Springboard FutureChef, whether you’re a chef, teacher or student.
Chefs and professionals can mentor students, judge heats, support online competitions, create video content or run career sessions. Springboard provides video guides and tips to help you get started—all you need is your passion for food and a bit of your time.
Students in Years 9–11 (England & Wales), S3–S5 (Scotland) or 10–12 (Northern Ireland) can enter the FutureChef Competition to learn new skills and work alongside industry chefs.
Teachers can register their schools for the FutureChef or FutureChef Juniors programmes, both designed to fit within the food curriculum.
