Lewisham College hosted the Springboard Future Chef 2025 final, welcoming talented hospitality students aged 16 to 18 from three different schools across London. The competition offered young chefs a chance to develop their practical skills in a high-energy, professional environment within the College’s industry-standard training kitchens.
During the intense 60-minute challenge, students prepared a dish of their choice, demonstrating technical ability, creativity, organisation, and composure working under pressure. The result was an impressive array of innovative, well-executed dishes that left a lasting impression on both judges and attendees.
A panel of three industry judges evaluated the competitors based on flavour, presentation, and overall technique. The judges included Tom Dixon from The Ritz London, Martyn McEvely from the Royal Navy, and Josh Young. They praised the students for their discipline, attention to detail, and willingness to push themselves.
Tom Dixon, noted the students' creativity, excitement, and desire to learn more, highlighting the qualities that make for a successful chef. He said: “It’s amazing to see how focused and skilled the contestants are. Their level of professionalism and creativity is really impressive.”
The competition crowned two outstanding winners from St Philomena's Catholic Girls School. Grace Sone and Chloe Grant.
Grace impressed the judges with her chicken and chorizo sausages served with tomato risotto and roasted tomatoes, which the judges praised as exceptional with a beautiful final finish. Chloe’s dish featured pan-fried and roasted salmon with Hasselback potatoes, asparagus, and homemade mayonnaise, showcasing precision and refinement.
Springboard representatives highlighted their enthusiasm for the event, describing competitions like Future Chef as some of their favourite initiatives. They praised the opportunity to engage with schools and students, noting how inspiring it is to see the creativity and skill on display, and emphasised that these young chefs truly represent the future of the industry.
Beyond celebrating culinary talent, the competition highlighted essential skills such as confidence, time management, and organisation, which are crucial for young people pursuing careers in hospitality. Lewisham College is proud to host events like Future Chef, supporting the next generation of culinary talent and helping young people explore careers in the hospitality sector.
Find out more about our Hospitality and Catering courses and how you can start your culinary journey here lewisham.ac.uk/hospitality.
