Taking part in FutureChef is not just about winning – it provides great links to some of the industry’s top employers such as leading sponsors Compass Group, Corus Hotels and Whitbread. Of course, for those who do well, the world is your oyster.

• Since winning the FutureChef 2004 competition, Pamela Black, 16 from Tooting in South London is well on her way to an exciting career as a chef. She had the amazing opportunity to work with some of the industry’s top chefs and quality venues - offers of employment and work experience have not stopped since. Pamela is studying a course in Culinary Arts at Thames Valley University and one day aims to have her own Michelin-starred restaurant.
• Emily Webb 16 from Hind Leys Community College – Leicestershire, one of the 2003 and 2004 Grand Final contestants, was talent-spotted in the kitchen by Executive Chef Steve Munkley of the prestigious, 5-star, Royal Garden Hotel in London. He immediately offered her a Modern Apprenticeship, which includes one day a week at Westminster Kingsway College where Jamie Oliver gained his qualifications.
• Kyle Abrahams, who competed in the Walsall Local Final, has been employed by the Hyatt Regency Birmingham as an apprentice. He came second in the local final, but his Mentor Chef - Brett Sandland (Executive Head Chef of the Hyatt) - spotted Kyle's potential and snapped him up.
• Alex Comrie from St Columbas High School - Dunfermline, secured 1st Runner up position at the Grand Final of FutureChef 2004. As a result of his involvement with FutureChef he has been offered jobs at The Gleneagles Hotel, The Balmoral Hotel Edinburgh, and Corus Hotel Glasgow.
• Rhuaraidh Campbell from Bearsden Academy - Glasgow, was runner up in the Central and South Scotland Regional Final of FutureChef last year. Rhuaraidh was mentored by Eddie Ward of Aramark and showed such promise that he has returned to the Aramark Kitchens for Buddy Day in March 2005, where with a class mate, and as part of the Aramark team he prepared and cooked at their Star Awards. Aramark are offering Rhuaraidh an apprenticeship and plan to train him to represent the company at other competitions.
• FutureChef 2000 was won by Alicia Hyacinth. Prizes for the event included a cheque for three hundred pounds, a set of professional chef knives, along with an excellent further prize awarded by Sodexho to attend their Masterclass at Lord’s Cricket Ground, which gave Alicia the fabulous opportunity to work along side celebrity chefs James Martin and Tony Tobin to produce a meal for 250 guests. Since winning the competition Alicia has gained vital industry experience and is now employed by Compass Group working in Goldman & Sachs International catering department as a Pastry Chef – and loving every minute of it.
• Owain Hall and Emma Farrugia competed in the Barry College Local heats of FutureChef 2004 in Wales and were a winner and runner-up respectively. Both students went on to participate in Springboard Charitable Trust’s Summer School with placements at The Hilton, Cardiff. With Owain unable to fully complete his course due to a pre-booked family holiday to Egypt, the Hilton in Cardiff arranged a tour for him in their Cairo Hotel. Both candidates have subsequently been offered placements over the summer. Emma is currently furthering her education and industry career prospects by studying a catering course at Barry College in South Wales.