On 27th March the 12 competitors will complete a high‑pressure skills test and then produce a full two‑course menu, showcasing their creativity and technical ability.

Now in its 27th year, the programme equips young people aged 12–16 with essential cookery and life skills, delivered through school heats, local and regional finals, workshops and mentorship from professional chefs.

Chris Gamm, chief executive of Springboard, said: “Springboard FutureChef isn’t just about teaching young people to cook- it’s about helping them build lifelong skills that set them up for future success.

“Through the competition, participants develop creativity, confidence, and resilience, helping them to discover what they’re truly capable of achieving. Watching these talented finalists grow throughout the programme is a real reminder of the power of opportunity in shaping the next generation of hospitality professionals.”

In a Springboard FutureChef first, this year’s National Final will be entirely vegetarian. Finalists will work from the same basket of core ingredients and will be challenged to put vegetables centre stage, proving just how exciting plant‑based cooking can be.

Each competitor will begin with a 45 minute skills test, preparing mini Paris‑Brest choux pastries. They will then have two hours to produce and serve a two‑course menu for four people: A hot main course that showcases one hero vegetable and an inventive Paris‑Brest‑based dessert, using their own baked choux as the foundation.

The finalists will be judged by a panel of respected and award‑winning chefs, including Brian Turner CBE, James Sommerin, Kirk Haworth, Sabrina Gidda, Steve Munkley, Mark Reynolds and David Mulcahy.

The 2026 regional finalists who will compete in London are:

• North Scotland: Kate Skinner, 15, Kemnay Academy
• Central & South Scotland: Amelia Lockhart, 15, St Joseph’s College
• North East England: Maisie Crank, 13, Sedgefield Community College
• North West England: Ava Nicholls, 13, Hilbre High School
• East Midlands: Ren Hopkin, 16, Joseph Whittaker School
• West Midlands: Maisie Hemmings, 14, Brownhills Ormiston Academy
• East of England: Dylan Slater, 15, Cambourne Village College
• London: Alberto Walker, 15, Kew House School
• South East England: Juliet Bunce, 15, Brighton Hill School
• South West England: Jessica Klapsia, 16, Torquay Girls’ Grammar School
• Wales: Rya Smith, 16, Coleg Cambria
• Northern Ireland: Hanna Asish, 15, Our Lady and St Patrick’s College