Female chefs lead the way in national competition

Almost 70% of finalists in a national competition to find the UK's most talented young chefs are female, suggesting that more young women are being inspired to seek careers in the hospitality kitchens.

The news, which comes on International Women's Day (8 March), has been revealed by UK hospitality charity Springboard, as its FutureChef competition nears its final stage.

Supported by the likes of Clare Smyth and Tom Kerridge, the former being the first and only British woman to win three Michelin stars, the final will see 12 of the most up-and-coming young chefs from across the UK and Ireland battle it out to be crowned champion in the national final, which is  being held in London on Monday 14 March 2022.

Aiming to find the next generation of culinary talent, Springboard’s FutureChef is a school-based programme that supports the development of life skills while inspiring young people to pursue a career within the world of hospitality.

“The important thing is having visible representation," says Smyth. "It’s not something that occurred to me when I was younger, I just wanted to work with the best chefs in the profession and there were almost no women at the top in those days — it was mainly men, so all my mentors were men. I try to make sure that I mentor my team. It’s important to do what we can to keep this generation in the profession so they can make it all the way to the top, as that will help change things."

Alongside FutureChef, the charity has also launched ‘Springboard to 2022’, which is supporting the industry’s recovery from the pandemic. It is aiming to provide a skilled and engaged talent pipeline ready for the industry, with the goal to have 10,000 young people trained and ready for work by the end of 2022.

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