Chefs back Springboard campaign to get kids cooking this summer

A group of leading chefs, including Richard Corrigan, Ruth Hansom and Gary Maclean, are helping get young people cooking during the school holidays with a new series of online cooking demos.

FutureChef’s Summer Kitchen, run by hospitality charity Springboard, will release a new video every Friday on social media and the FutureChef website, with the chefs showing how to prepare one of their favourite dishes.

Corrigan, who runs Corrigan’s Mayfair, Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill and Daffodil Mulligan in London, said he’s backing the campaign because it’s never been more important to showcase the chef craft to young people.

Hansom, meanwhile, was a former FutureChef participant and featured on BBC Two's Million Pound Menu, before recently joining the Princess in Shoreditch, London.

MasterChef: The Professionals 2016 champion Gary Maclean said: "I have been involved with FutureChef for more than 15 years as a mentor and a judge. I have seen first-hand how this competition not only builds confidence in young people, but also teaches essential life skills and opens up the amazing world of the hospitality industry."

The campaign is backed by the hospitality industry job board Caterer.com, and head of marketing Kathy Dyball said: “We want as many young people and parents to have access to free, useful and fun online resources throughout the summer holidays – to enjoy and get comfortable with cooking, inspiring the next wave of FutureChef students.”

Springboard is encouraging both young people and other chefs to share their Summer Kitchen creations on social media using #FCSummerKitchen, with the best photos featuring on the FutureChef website.