Springboard Programme: Springboard FutureChef

Region: Wales

Year: 2023

Born and bred in Lampeter, West Wales, Marged’s first language is Welsh. Raised on a sheep and dairy farm, she enjoys cooking as a form of relaxation. Marged’s grandmother and aunt are both in the catering industry, and this has been a great opportunity for Marged to gain some first-hand work experience! Marged’s passion for cooking grew throughout the COVID lockdown as she became an avid baker, baking treats for friends and family!

Here’s what Marged had to say about her experience of the FutureChef National Final:

“Travelling over 250 miles to London was a crazy experience. It’s really different from my hometown. I am lucky to have such a supportive family, especially my grandmother and my auntie. They both were a big help in preparing me for the National Final. In the midst of my GCSE exams, they were on hand to help me prepare, cooking and evaluating each dish to see where I can improve.

Being raised into a farming family, we don’t eat a lot of fish so it was really interesting learning how to fillet a fish properly. My uncle travelled over 50 miles to source fish for me to practice on. My dishes were a big hit amongst my family.

After winning my Local Final, I was lucky enough to be partnered up with my mentor chef Ryan Jones, I had so much fun doing our sessions with him at the Principality in Cardiff.

Taking part in FutureChef has given me such a boost to my confidence with people in my local community congratulating me for competing. I was so happy when one of the judges told me my dishes were very close to winning!

I am really looking forward to spending my gift vouchers in The Beach House in Oxwich Bay, Swansea, it’ll be a great way to celebrate the end of my exams!

For anyone thinking about taking part in FutureChef, just do it! I felt very reluctant, but I just feel so lucky to achieved so much and ventured out of my comfort zone!”