Cooper secured the title after beating over 9,000 entrants between 12 and 16-years-old. She said: “It’s taken me three years to reach the National Final. It’s great to have made it and to have won. I see myself going on in the industry and going as far as possible, possibly opening my own restaurant.”
Cooper’s winning menu included pan-fried sea bass with cauliflower puree and a red wine reduction followed by chocolate cheesecake with raspberry and caramel shards.
The winner received a visit to Ascot, courtesy of sponsor Sodexo and a trip to Delaware North box at Wembley for the 2017 Summertime Ball for herself and three others where she will undertake work placement in the VIP area before the concert.
Brian Turner OBE, FutureChef chairman, said: “It has been a fantastic day and it’s good to see so many dedicated young people with so much talent.
“Thanks must also go to teachers and mentors who make such a great contribution to the success of the event. Katie is a great winner.”
The FutureChef competition has seen over 100,000 school pupils involved since it was established in 2000.
The competition is run by The Springboard Charity, which helps young, unemployed and disadvantaged people improve their prospects in life through a career in hospitality, leisure and tourism.