Stretford Grammar School was buzzing with culinary creativity this week as ten talented students took part in the first heat of the prestigious Springboard FutureChef competition. The event showcased an impressive range of cookery skills and flavours, with dishes spanning from vibrant beetroot soup and rich butter chicken to silky tofu and perfectly pan-seared sea bass. The competitors—Rahimat, Oliver, Arisha, Tilly, Ed, Harneet, Hibah, Bailey, Nathan, and Isabella—brought their A-game to the kitchen, crafting colourful and, most importantly, delicious plates that wowed the judges. The judging panel included Mr Mullins, Mrs Baxter, and Mr Price, with expert insight provided by Miss Khadem, the school’s Food and Nutrition teacher. Reflecting on the event, Miss Khadem said: “The level of skill and creativity on display was phenomenal. It’s inspiring to see our students take such pride in their cooking and push themselves to try new techniques and flavours.”

Choosing just two students to progress to the next round was an agonising decision for the judges, given the high standard across the board. After much deliberation, Tilly and Ed were selected to represent Stretford Grammar in the next stage of the competition, where they will face off against students from other local schools in November. The Springboard FutureChef programme is a national initiative designed to nurture young culinary talent and introduce students to the world of professional cooking. It can lead to exciting opportunities in hospitality, including mentorships, apprenticeships, and even careers in top kitchens across the UK.

Inspired by the success and enthusiasm of the students, the school’s senior leadership team is now exploring the idea of launching a pop-up restaurant. This initiative would allow students to further develop their hospitality skills by serving meals to parents and staff in a real-world setting.

Watch this space for updates on this exciting development—and congratulations again to all our budding chefs!