It’s hard to believe just seven months ago we crowned Reese Ventura our 2024 Springboard FutureChef Champion. Since winning, Reese has been on an incredible culinary journey, gaining invaluable experiences and rubbing shoulders with some of the industry’s finest. Let’s take a look at what our talented young chef has been up to:

A Royal Experience at Eton College

Reese’s adventures began with a tour of the historic Eton College, guided by Yvette Cutcliffe. She had the opportunity to meet Head Chef James of Bekynton catering, gaining insights into the culinary operations of this prestigious institution.

The tour continued to the Eton College Rowing Centre, the venue for the London Olympics rowing events. Reese enjoyed a boat tour followed by a delightful afternoon tea overlooking the Eton Dorney Olympic Rowing lakes, hosted by Executive Chef Steve Wylie.

Springboard Awards for Excellence

In April 2024, Reese, her mum, and her mentor Franky, attended our annual Awards for Excellence. Here she sat with our Chris Beaumont Outstanding Achievement Award recipients: David Mulcahy, Brian Turner, and Steve Munkley – even joining them on stage to accept their prize.

Dining with the Stars

Our FutureChef winner was treated to a special dinner at The Lock and the Tyne, Adam Handling’s renowned restaurant. Although Chef Adam was away cooking for Taylor Swift on her Eras Tour, he made time for a video chat with Reese, even giving her a glimpse of the concert!

Royal Ascot: From Spectator to Chef

Reese’s culinary skills were put to the test at the prestigious Royal Ascot. Executive Chef David escorted her to the event, where she worked alongside the esteemed Chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen in the Royal Enclosure kitchen. After her shift, Reese joined the spectators at The Gallery, experiencing the races from both sides of the kitchen door.

A Royal Encounter

The highlight of Reese’s post-win experiences came at The Craft Guild of Chefs Awards. In a truly memorable moment, she was one of just 18 individuals presented to HRH Duchess of Edinburgh in a private meet and greet. This royal encounter was undoubtedly a crowning achievement for our young chef.

Reconnecting with Culinary Mentors

At the awards ceremony, Reese had the pleasure of reuniting with Chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen, who was also among those presented to HRH. This connection showcases the lasting relationships Reese is building within the culinary world.

Reese’s journey since winning the FutureChef competition has been nothing short of extraordinary. From working in prestigious kitchens to meeting royalty, she’s gaining experiences that will shape her future in the culinary world. We can’t wait to see what’s next for this rising star!