With attracting and developing the next generation of hospitality professionals remaining a major industry priority, Country Range Group (CRG) has reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing future talent by renewing its Country Range brand’s headline sponsorship of the Springboard FutureChef competition for 2026/27.
Following a successful first year as headline sponsor, the renewed partnership will continue to inspire thousands of young people to pursue careers in hospitality while creating meaningful opportunities for the Group’s members to engage with schools, local communities and aspiring chefs across the UK.
A Pathway From Classroom to Career
Now entering its 27th year, Springboard FutureChef is one of the UK’s leading school-based culinary initiatives, introducing more than 25,000 young people each year to the exciting opportunities available within hospitality. Through a journey that takes students from the classroom to local heats, regional finals and ultimately the National Final, the competition develops practical cookery skills, confidence and creativity while helping young people better understand the rewarding career opportunities the industry has to offer.
For CRG, the sponsorship is about far more than supporting a competition. It reflects the Group’s long-standing commitment to championing education, developing skills and helping to build a stronger, more sustainable future for the hospitality industry by investing in its future workforce.
The impact of the partnership was evident throughout the 2025/26 competition with more than 24,000 people engaging with the competition during the year, including over 15,000 students from 513 schools across the UK. More than 230 chefs, hospitality professionals and business owners played their part mentoring and judging the competition.
Beyond the competition itself, CRG has continued to champion Springboard FutureChef throughout the year, raising awareness through its publication, Stir it up magazine. Special features have showcased emerging talent, alongside interviews and recipes from previous winners, judges and patrons, while Springboard FutureChef was also featured in the magazine’s Christmas Advent Calendar campaign. At the Group’s annual exhibition and conference in Telford, attended by more than 650 foodservice professionals, FutureChef finalist Margarita Kaloudi impressed delegates with a live demonstration in the Discovery Kitchen, preparing a fresh pasta dish before sharing her plans to study catering in Birmingham. Her journey highlights how the competition helps transform young talent into future hospitality professionals.
Building on that success, CRG will place an even greater emphasis on supporting its members to engage with the competition at a local and regional level throughout the 2026/27 season. From judging local heats and mentoring competitors to supporting regional finals and careers events, members will have even more opportunities to connect with schools, inspire young people and strengthen relationships within their communities.
Graham Caldwell, Marketing Manager at Country Range Group, said:
“We’re incredibly proud to be renewing our headline sponsorship of Springboard FutureChef. As an industry, we all have a responsibility to inspire the next generation, showcase the fantastic careers available in hospitality and help young people develop the skills and confidence to succeed. Our first year as headline sponsor demonstrated just how powerful this partnership can be. It has provided fantastic opportunities for our members to engage with schools and their local communities, while supporting a cause that genuinely changes lives. We’re excited to build on that momentum over the coming year and help even more young people discover a passion for food, hospitality and the many rewarding careers our industry offers.”
Amanda McGuire, Head of Careers and Education at Springboard, added:
“Country Range’s renewed headline sponsorship makes a real difference to what we can achieve with Springboard FutureChef. Their commitment helps us bring cooking, creativity and career opportunities into schools across the UK. Partnerships like this don’t just support a competition, they help young people see a real, exciting future in hospitality.”
With entries for the 2026/27 competition opening later this summer, CRG is looking forward to another year of unearthing emerging culinary talent, supporting hospitality education and helping more young people take their first steps on the journey from classroom to career. Together with Springboard and its nationwide network of members, the Group remains committed to creating opportunities that will benefit students and the hospitality industry for many years to come.
Get involved and help shape the future of hospitality
The future of hospitality starts with the talent we inspire today. Whether it’s judging a local heat, mentoring an aspiring chef, supporting a regional event or simply sharing your experience, there are plenty of ways to get involved with Springboard FutureChef.
By giving your time and expertise, you can help young people build their skills and confidence, discover the exciting careers our industry has to offer and take their first steps towards a future in hospitality. Get involved today and play your part in inspiring the next generation!