The Menu Masters competition was made possible through a collaboration between businesses, schools, Bucks Skills Hub and Buckinghamshire Business First.

Crucially, it really caught the imagination of Buckinghamshire's young people, with teams of students creating and presenting their concepts for a brand-new restaurant, complete with names, menus, ambience, marketing, and use of technology.

Two incredible business owners - celebrity chef and restaurateur Atul Kochhar, and Karim Kassam, Managing Director of Horwood House Hotel - got their own teams involved to support the students throughout the competition, with chefs from Horwood House and Atul Kochhar's Sindhu restaurant delivering presentations to hundreds of students, which was quite the learning experience for the chefs as well as the students!

After more than 60 pitches from students keen to become the winners of the first inter-schools challenge of its kind in the county, four teams were announced as the finalists, one each from The Beaconsfield School, Cressex Community School, Sir Thomas Fremantle School, and The Buckingham School.

Before the final, the students enjoyed exclusive visits to Sindhu in Marlow, and Horwood House Hotel, enjoying tours of hotels, kitchens and restaurants, as well as careers talks, mentoring, and lunch.

Soon enough, it was time for the final on an inspiring morning of creativity, confidence-building and collaboration. Each team raised their game for the final, delivering impressive presentations, tackling tough questions from judges Cllr Jilly Jordan, Bonnie May from Global Infusion Group, Sarah Gray from The Careers & Enterprise Company, and Heather Dean from Buckinghamshire Business First, and showing real entrepreneurial flair.

Congratulations go to the winning team from Sir Thomas Fremantle School, whose South American themed restaurant concept, Plaça de Tinta, captured the judges’ attention with its creative blend of food and artistic expression, offering a unique 'Sip and Paint' experience where customers can create, display, and even sell their artwork while enjoying locally sourced dishes.

Thanks to those that made it happen

A big thank you to Atul Kochhar and Karim Kassam and their teams for their generosity and willingness to share their time, experience and hospitality to guide and mentor all of the students over the course of the Menu Masters Challenge. And thanks also go to Your Print Solution for printing the certificates handed out to the students.

The businesses' generosity didn't end there, offering prizes that reflect the exceptional standard of work. The winning team has earned a week of work experience across Horwood House Hotel and one of Atul Kochhar’s restaurants, as well as an incredible opportunity to collaborate with a chef from Global Infusion Group to create a dish featured on the menu for Lewis Capaldi’s Hyde Park performance in July, complete with full credit to the team and their school.

This was a brilliant example of what happens when education and industry come together to inspire the next generation.

Are you looking for ways to engage and inspire young people?

There are lots of ways to get your business involved in inspiring the next generation:

• Get listed on the Employer Spotlight on the Bucks Skills Hub website if you can offer work experience, apprenticeships, T Levels, internships and more
• Learn about Employer Standards - the framework for businesses of all sizes to maximise the impact of their engagement with young people.
• Exhibit at the Bucks Skills Show 2027 and directly inspire thousands of young people - it's one of the best events of its kind!