Celebrity chefs and sportsmen joined Sodexo for a fundraising event to celebrate 15 years of Springboard’s FutureChef programme.
The event, held on the River Thames aboard Sodexo Prestige’s Bateaux London Symphony dining cruise venue last week, was attended by rugby star Matt Dawson and UK chefs, Alan Bird, Allan Pickett, Alyn Williams and Gareth Billington, who mentored this year’s FutureChef winner.
FutureChef, run by hospitality charity Springboard, is a nationwide competition for budding chefs aged between 12 and 16. The programme has been designed to inspire young people to consider careers in hospitality, by giving them the opportunity to work directly with chefs and other industry professionals.
Anna Pierce, chief executive of The Springboard Charity, said: “Springboard’s FutureChef is an inspirational programme that opens the door to young people to explore food, cooking and a career as a chef. Today, we have many examples of up-and-coming chefs who have started through FutureChef and are well on their way to becoming the stars of tomorrow.”
The event was attended by 130 guests from across the hospitality industry. Matt Dawson, a Sodexo ambassador, presided over a charity auction and guests were treated to a four-course meal, with each course prepared by one of the host chefs working in conjunction with a past FutureChef winner.
This year’s competition was won by Anna Carmichael who beat 8,200 12-16-year-old entrants from across the UK. She is currently completing work experience at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. Anna has been mentored by Sodexo Prestige chef, Gareth Billington, who is executive chef at Everton FC.
Of her win, Anna said: “I have been told by Gareth about the industry realistically which I am grateful for. Although I’ve learnt about the long hours and hard and demanding labour, I have also been told about how rewarding and enjoyable cheffing is and it is because of Gareth that I have had all of these experiences first hand.”
Chris John, managing director of Sodexo Prestige, said: “Sodexo is a proud sponsor of FutureChef, which is one of the most influential initiatives within this industry for young people. We are honoured to have hosted this event at one of our finest Prestige Venues and Events venues.”
Sodexo employs over 35,000 people in the UK and over 380,000 people worldwide.