Bethan won Springboard’s FutureChef 2016, a national cooking competition which annually involves over 8,000 12-16 year olds in over 700 schools.
She said: “It was an amazing experience and one I never thought I’d have! I first helped plate up desserts and starters and then helped with lunch service. This was my first real experience in a busy professional kitchen and I really enjoyed it!
“Everyone I met was so lovely and made me feel very welcome. All the advice they gave me will be very useful in the future.”
Bethan has since been offered a week’s work experience with Le Manoir in August to add to her other prizes for winning Springboard’s FutureChef 2016. She has already worked at Goodison Park with Everton FC’s Executive Chef Gareth Billington, serving dinner for Boxer Tony Bellew.
David Mulcahy, Culinary Director, Sodexo UK & Ireland, said: “As sponsor of the FutureChef first prize we were delighted to host Bethan and her family with a tour and afternoon tea at Eton College, dinner at Heston Blumenthal’s Hinds Head in Bray and then to work behind the scenes at the world renowned Royal Ascot event.
“FutureChef sees over 8,000 young people between the ages of 12-16 years of age participate each year. As a long term sponsor Sodexo is proud to support this vital initiative, discovering and supporting the future of our culinary heritage.”
FutureChef aims to teach school pupils the vital life skills of cooking and the value of nutrition. It seeks to provide invaluable insight into careers in the hospitality industry and looks to inspire more young people to build careers in the sector. With work experience being a key factor behind career decisions, encouraging young people through FutureChef is key to tackling the skills shortages the hospitality industry faces.
Watch the video, find out more and register as a school or mentor here: www.futurechef.uk.net