Katie Cooper, 16, from University College Birmingham, won Springboard’s FutureChef 2017 cooking competition, beating over 9,000 12-16 year olds from across the UK in the process. FutureChef has now seen over 100,000 school pupils involved since it began in 2000.
On hearing she won Springboard’s FutureChef 2017 Katie 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.”
Katie served up a menu of pan-fried sea bass with cauliflower puree and a red wine reduction, followed by a dessert of chocolate cheesecake with raspberry and caramel shards. She was mentored by Anthony Wright, University College Birmingham.
Speaking at the National Final, Anne Pierce, Springboard’s Chief Executive, said: “Congratulations to all of our hard-working, committed finalists – they have all been part of a great FutureChef. It really is amazing to see the quality of work by young chefs improve year on year, the talent we see as a result of the Springboard FutureChef initiative is remarkable and Katie is a true winner.”
Brian Turner OBE, FutureChef Chairman, added: “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.”
- First place: Katie Cooper, 16, University College Birmingham, Birmingham
- Second place: Amy Campbell, 14, Hazlehead Academy, Aberdeen
- Third place: Kieran Jones, 15, Homewood School and Sixth Form, Kent
Our congratulations to Katie, Amy, Kieran and all the finalists! Hopefully we will be reporting on you all in the near future.