Region: London

Year: 2024

Reese Ventura, 15 years old from St Philomena’s Catholic School for Girls in London, has been crowned the 25th champion of Springboard FutureChef, a competition to find the UK’s best young chef, beating more than 13,000 students from 515 schools.

The national final took place on Monday 18 March at Westminster Kingsway College in London, with 12 talented school children from across the UK battling it out for the top spot.

During the final stage of the competition, the competitors had 2 hours and 45 minutes to prepare a main course and dessert for a panel of industry-leading judges including Adam Handling, Chantelle Nicholson, Graeme Cheevers and Kerth Gumbs.

Since winning her regional heat in London, Reese has worked with her mentor Chef Franky Fernandes, Executive Chef at London Marriott Hotel Park Lane, to hone her skills and create dishes that wowed the judges in every round, which included a main of mushroom stuffed chicken ballotine with caramelised cauliflower, fondant potato, purple sprouting broccoli, butternut squash and tarragon jus – and a deconstructed tiramisu consisting of cannoli, chocolate whipped ganache and coffee jelly.

Taking the crown, Reese will now receive ongoing support, development, and apprenticeship opportunities from Springboard, including the chance to have her recipes published.