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This year, Senior Business Development Chef - Jon Harvey-Barnes, was given the opportunity to be involved with the Springboard FutureChefs initiative. We caught up with him to discuss his involvement and what it entails.. 

How did you become involved in the Springboard FutureChefs initiative?

I was fortunate enough to be invited to judge a local competition at The Heart of Worcestershire College as part of the FutureChef initiative just before lockdown. It was all round a great experience and it was inspiring to see the talent of the young chefs. Unfortunately lockdown put a pause on the in-person local competitions, so they naturally changed the format to a digital approach, which I also helped judge. Thankfully, as restrictions lifted we were able to safely get back into the kitchen which is where I met Hermione, one of the local competition winners…

Who are you mentoring this year?

As mentioned, Hermione was the winner of the second local The Heart of Worcestershire College competition that I judged. Following her success at local level, I was asked kindly by organiser, Rebekah Henry, to mentor Hermione to develop her skills and knowledge for the next level of the competition. With the help of Hermione’s parents we caught up regularly over the phone and via email where we focused on building her confidence as well as polishing her techniques ahead of the regional final. Despite COVID becoming a barrier we still managed to keep up to date and she regularly practised her dishes that we would then look over and tweak if necessary digitally.

How do you think the scheme benefits Hermione and fellow young chefs?

Supporting the next generation of chefs is important to Essential Cuisine, not just preparing them to enter hospitality and foodservice as a career but to support them with their competition ventures. The competition scene can be a pressurised environment, having the skills, confidence and organisation can be a daunting experience for young chefs so it is great to have the opportunity to support them and reassure them.

How did the final go?

It was a great experience all round and despite Hermione not taking the top spot it was an extremely close competition with an incredible skill set on show. All of the young chefs should be very proud of their involvement.

What would be your advice for young chefs?

If you look after your mentors and are happy to receive support, guidance and advice you will learn an incredible amount. When you rise to the same level as them you will be more passionate to help the younger generation, ensuring new and fresh talent wants to enter the industry. Team work is also a huge aspect of this career choice, whether you are with fellow pupils or enter the world of being part of a brigade, supporting your peers is a huge element of kitchen life.

Essential Cuisine are proud to support Springboard FutureChefs and I’m really excited to be a part of it. I am really looking forward to continue working with the scheme as well as the Chefs Adopt a School, ran by the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, supporting the next generation of chefs.