David Mulcahy - Craft & Food Development Director, Sodexho

David Mulcahy is a well-decorated chef with a wealth of industry experience. Having been involved with FutureChef since it's conception, David has really seen the programme grow and is a real driving force in its development. Heavily engaged for the last 7 years, he is a valued member of the steering committee, a culinary expert responsible for the recruitment of mentor chefs, setting the guidelines/standards for judging and mentoring and the competition’s lead judge. David’s involvement is also extended to The Toque d’Or competition and The Junior Chefs Academy (JCA), as well as mentor to students and colleges at many different levels.

Widely recognised as co-ordinator of many of the UK’s leading competitions and culinary events and credited with supporting initiatives for the advancement of the Culinary Arts encouraging the next generation of chefs, David also designs and manages many competitions including the Knorr National Chef of The Year. Judging at competitions worldwide, officiating over our culinary stars of the future in the FutureChef programme is no different from judging at many of the major competitions for qualified chefs.

David is active in promoting catering industry standards and, past National Chairman of the Craft Guild of Chefs, the largest Chefs Association in the UK.

A highly experienced competitor, he has gained numerous awards on the National and International stage winning Culinary Olympic and World Cup medals as well as recognition in the UK and Ireland.

As a passionate chef and senior judge, David feels that supporting and creating events for young chefs, is possibly the best form of training for any chef. Commented David, "The FutureChef competition provides an exciting arena in which those just starting out can compete and show off their talent while experiencing what the industry is all about."

David recently joined Sodexho as Food & Craft Development Director and is thriving in the role. The company employs 48,000 employees in the UK and Ireland, and provides food and facilities management services to clients at over 2,300 locations in the business and industry, education, healthcare, leisure and defence sectors. Sodexho are very committed to supporting initiatives that encourage culinary development and is a keen sponsor of FutureChef.