Ivy wins the regional final of the Springboard Future Chef Competition!
Thursday 30 January 2025 | By Erin McKeownFuture Chef winner!
We are beyond thrilled to share the news that Ivy in Year 11 won the regional final of the Springboard Future Chef Competition in Sheffield on Tuesday.
Between the previous round and the regional final, Ivy received expert mentoring from an outstanding team at Darlington College. Indeed, one of her mentors, Martyn Edwards, competed as a chef in Channel 4’s Bake Off: The Professionals in 2023.
Ivy’s hard work and preparation paid off as she wowed the regional judges with her delicious Italian-inspired menu, utilising many complex culinary skills; prosciutto chicken with sundried tomatoes, spinach and mascarpone served with tenderstem broccoli and vine tomatoes.
A fantastic prize, including…
After being announced as the regional winner, Ivy was presented with a set of personalised chef whites and knives, plus a special tasting spoon and certificate. She will now be invited to the final of the competition where she will compete against 11 other regional winners from across the country, to be held in London in March.
In preparation for the final, a list of ingredients will be sent (known as the ‘mystery basket’!) – Ivy will then work with myself and her mentor chefs at Darlington College to design and develop her final menu. This will consist of a main and dessert dish for two people, which she will then cook for the judges.
…a trip to a Michelin Star restaurant!
As part of her prize for getting through to the latter stages of the competition, Ivy has been invited to attend an all-expenses paid celebratory meal at the Mandarin Oriental – Heston Blumental’s Michelin Star restaurant.
We would like to thank all of Ivy’s mentors for their amazing advice and guidance, and of course, wish Ivy the very best of luck for the final. We are already so proud and cannot wait to see how she progresses.
Mrs Howard
