After nearly a decade of supporting the next generation of young college chefs through its sponsorship of the Student Chef Challenge, the Country Range Group has now turned its attention to schools with their own brand – Country Range – being announced as a Headline Sponsor for the 2025/2026 Springboard FutureChef competition.
Passionate about addressing the skills gap in the hospitality industry, the partnership marks a significant milestone in the Country Range Group’s commitment to nurturing culinary talent and providing a vital pipeline for the industry’s future workforce. The UK’s leading school-based cooking competition, engaging with over 25,000 young people annually across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, Springboard FutureChef supports the development of key life skills and showcases the exciting careers available in the hospitality sector.
Earlier this year, the search for the UK’s best young chef concluded with 16-year-old Carys Williams from Pontarddulais School in Swansea emerging as the 2025 Springboard FutureChef champion following a final in London.
Held at Capital City College in Westminster on the 24th March 2025, the FutureChef final saw 12 talented young chefs from across the UK compete for the title in Springboard’s annual crown. Each finalist had two hours and 45 minutes to prepare a main course and dessert for a panel of industry-leading judges, including Adam Handling, Alain Roux, Brian Turner, Chantelle Nicholson, Cherish Finden and 2024 winner Reece Ventura.
Driving industry impact
Designed to inspire and equip aspiring chefs aged between 12-16 with essential culinary skills and knowledge, Springboard FutureChef provides a hands-on experience, builds confidence and introduces participants to the world of professional cookery. With a proven track record for launching culinary careers, the first Springboard FutureChef competition took place in 1999 with 127 young chefs taking part. Since that inaugural competition, over 225,000 students have been involved and a remarkable 24% of participants have gone on to have careers in hospitality.
Previous Springboard FutureChef winners include 2023 MasterChef: The Professionals champion Tom Hamblet, 2023 Roux Scholar winner April Lily Partridge, and Graeme Cheevers, Owner of the Michelin-starred Unalome in Glasgow.
Graham Caldwell, Country Range Group Marketing Manager, said:
“The Country Range Group and our members are dedicated to supporting the foodservice sector and we recognise the importance of investing in young talent. The Springboard FutureChef competition is a truly exceptional initiative and as a long-term supporter of food education and training, the exciting sponsorship aligns perfectly with our mission to empower the next generation of culinary professionals and strengthen the hospitality industry.”
“Springboard FutureChef is more than just a competition – it’s a monumental movement that provides invaluable skills and experience to young people, fosters industry connections and strengthens career pathways for culinary talent. With an unbelievable track record for developing young cooks, we’re thrilled to take on the role of Headline Sponsor and look forward to working with Springboard to invest in and inspire the next cohort of young chefs.”
A Commitment to Culinary Excellence
As the Headline Sponsor, the Country Range will play a central role in supporting the competition from start to finish, while providing direct engagement opportunities for students, schools and chefs and a rich learning experience that extends beyond the competition.
The FutureChef annual programme begins in August with a nationwide call for participants, chef mentors and judges. School heats then take place from August to October, followed by local finals and mentor engagement. Regional finals occur in early spring 2026, culminating in the prestigious National Final in March 2026. Outside of the main competition, culinary career sessions and industry-led demonstrations are also run throughout the year.
In addition to Country Range being the headline sponsor, the Group’s wholesale members will also have the opportunity to offer mentorship and professional development opportunities for young participants and schools in their regions.
A Proven Model for Success
The decision for Country Range to become Headline Sponsor of Springboard FutureChef builds on the success of its previous partnership with the Craft Guild of Chefs in supporting the Student Chef Challenge.
Another competition with a great heritage of developing culinary stars of the future, Country Range was lead sponsor of the iconic challenge between 2016 and 2024.
Graham Caldwell continues: “It was a huge honour to help thousands of young chefs improve, grow and test themselves through the Student Chef Challenge and we’re confident the experience will ensure we can make FutureChef 2025/2026 the most impactful yet. As the hospitality sector continues to rebuild and evolve, initiatives like FutureChef play a crucial role in ensuring a skilled and passionate workforce for the future.”
Amanda McDade, National Head of Careers and Education for Springboard, commented:
“We’re thrilled to welcome the Country Range as Headline Sponsor for the 2025/2026 Springboard FutureChef competition. Their commitment to nurturing young culinary talent aligns perfectly with our mission to inspire the next generation of chefs. This partnership will significantly enhance our ability to provide students with invaluable industry connections, skills, and experiences. With the Country Range Group’s support, we’re confident that FutureChef will continue to be a transformative platform for young people, opening doors to exciting careers in hospitality and addressing the industry’s skills gap. Together, we’re not just shaping future chefs; we’re cultivating the culinary stars of tomorrow.”
