She was crowned NI’s top young chef after impressing judges during the regional heat
A young aspiring chef from Belfast is celebrating after being crowned the regional winner as part of a national competition to find the UK’s top young chef.
Hanna Asish won a spot in the final after impressing the judges during the regional heat, hosted at Belfast Met’s Titanic Quarter.
Hanna, 14 and from Our Lady and St Patrick’s College in East Belfast, beat tough competition from local students and will now head to London this March to represent Northern Ireland in the UK-wide Springboard FutureChef 2026 final.
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Now in its 27th year, Springboard FutureChef is the UK’s largest school culinary competition, with a long list of successful alumni, including Poppy O’Toole, the self-titled ‘Potato Queen’ of Instagram, Tom Hamblet, winner of Masterchefs the Professionals and Young MasterChef finalist, Bobby Odu, the owner of Bobby Bakes.
Throughout the competition, participants are mentored and judged by all-star Springboard FutureChef Champions and supporters, with Lead Judge for 2026 being the multi-award-winning Chef, Chantelle Nicholson.
Hanna blew judges away with her main course of Manor Farm, thyme butter roasted chicken, herb and sesame crusted chicken lollipop, hasselback comber baby potatoes, tender stem broccoli and carrot puree, followed by Granny Smith apple and baked oats crumble with aerated vanilla custard and pannacotta and baby toffee apple for dessert.
Speaking about the impressive win, Hanna said: “This has been such an amazing competition and overall experience. I can’t believe I’ve won. My mentor Garreth has worked so hard with me in preparation for today, helping and guiding me, as well as teaching me the culinary skills I needed to prepare my meals today. So excited to have won and now going to London to represent Northern Ireland at the UK finals”.
Designed to develop the next generation of chefs, the programme connects students from diverse backgrounds with chefs, employers and mentors. It provides early access to skills, guidance and real-world experience, supporting long-term career progression and building a more diverse, resilient workforce.
Finalists from the regional heats taking place across the country from now through to February, will advance to the National Final in March. The National Final celebrations begin with a dinner on March 22 at the Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park, followed by the National Final itself on March 23 at Capital City College in Westminster.
FutureChef Lead Judge 2026, Chantelle Nicholson added: “For our industry to grow in a way that is innovative, resilient, and genuinely sustainable, we must open doors for everyone. Programmes like Springboard FutureChef play an essential role in encouraging young people from all backgrounds, helping them overcome obstacles and find their place in the kitchen. It’s a privilege to be part of an initiative that supports such a vibrant and representative new generation of chefs.”
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