The Springboard FutureChef 2006 held its grand final event this month. More than 250 guests attended the national competition at Westminster Kingsway College in London.

5871 students from 581 schools across the country had participated in the competition, with 11 grand finalists vying for the FutureChef title.

South-east England finalist, Michael Duff, 14, from Oxted School, won the title with his pan-fried sea bass main course and bitter-sweet orange pancake dessert.

This year, for the first time, the winner’s school will benefit from a whole day visit from a group of top celebrity chefs.

The visit will include demonstrations and tastings, as well as a question and answer session, courtesy of the FutureChef chair, Brian Turner, plus £300 worth of catering equipment vouchers courtesy of Bunzi.

All the finalists received a personalised chef’s jacket and apparel from Johnson’s Stalbridge Linen as well as a kitchen appliance courtesy of Kenwood, among other gifts supplied by sponsors. Details: www.springboard.hobsons.co.uk

Photograph: 2006 winner, Michael Duff.