ZingB

Published: 10:00 am, 23 May 2023

In the final episode, Gordon Ramsay will choose his Future Food Star. After eight intense weeks of gruelling challenges, Gordon knows that all his finalists have what it takes to partner up with him. It’s now time to drill down on their businesses and find out who’s product is worthy of his endorsement.

Gordon Ramsay says: “This has been a fantastic series of Future Food Stars, and I truly believe this seasons contenders pushed it up a notch to impress me with their creativity and with the future ambitions for their businesses. To open and close the series in Scotland was a privilege, and I was really proud to showcase the beauty of the Ayrshire countryside as well as the hallowed turf of Glasgow Rangers. The final three really deserved their place in the competition finale and each product and pitch had a moment where it could have been the winner.”

Gordon invites the final three to Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow, a place that saw him forced to end his football career with Rangers and turn his hand to food. Can the finalists’ embrace change, and create a Scottish-limited edition of their products to launch in front of a home crowd?

Gordon gives them each a world-renowned expert to help turn their products around and take them to the next level. Who will win their audience over? Whose product will stand up to scrutiny?

Then, it’s the most dramatic grilling of their lives, as each of the finalists try to convince Gordon to back them. Who will hold their nerve? Who will win Gordon’s £150,000 investment? Who will Gordon choose to be his Future Food Star?

EL

Meet the Finalists

Amy

How did it feel when you found out you were a finalist on Gordon Ramsay’s Future Food Stars?

When I found out I’d made it to the final I was in disbelief. It’s like you go through the whole process from applying to filming thinking wow wouldn't it be great to get onto the show, omg let’s hope I don’t go week one and so on and so forth until it’s like ‘okay Amy you’re a finalist’ I think that’s when it hit me that I’d gone from a 1 in thousands chance at the investment to a 1 in 3.

You take on a variety of tasks throughout the series. Which was your favourite task to undertake?

Surprisingly enough even though I ended up in the grilling week 1, I feel like that was the favourite because straight away it gave me a massive incentive to never be in that position again. Saying that, Pizza week was incredible because of the sheer amount of food I consumed during the practice and also it’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever been too. It’s hard to pick because each week I’ve taken something from every challenge to develop and get to this point in the competition.

Which week did you find the most challenging and why?

Week 6 was definitely my biggest hurdle I completely put myself in a do or die situation by taking control of the pass at Lucky Cat. I have never in my life felt pressure like that and hopefully never will again. I take my hat off to every single head chef out there because the levels of focus and detail involved in serving 30 people was insane and it very nearly broke me I remember after filming looking at Flo and going to speak and no words coming out, I was speechless which has never happened to me before.

What was your personal highlight from the competition?

My personal highlight would have to be the thrill of waking up and not having a clue what you were about to do and in 12 hours completely turning around a product from idea, concept, development to the finished product being dished out to the public the same or next day. It made me realise that I was probably setting myself limitations in my head as to how big projects with the business would be at home and made me realise that they were limitations I’d put on myself.

The whole process was made by the people as-well, some of these contestants are the most genuine and talented people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. Bouncing ideas and developing with them and sharing the whole crazy journey is something I’ll never forget.

What would Gordon Ramsay’s investment mean to you and your business?

The investment would be more than the monetary value. It’s somebody like Gordon putting his belief in you and what you’ve created and standing up to say that he entrusts his money and name into what you’re building. On a personal level my main goal is to build something for me and my son. I want him to reap the rewards of my hard work later in life as this whole journey started because of him, he’s the drive every day for me to get up and make the most of every opportunity and create something I can stand back and be proud of. I want him to see where hard work, determination and belief in yourself can get you.

Andy

How did it feel when you found out you were a finalist on Gordon Ramsay’s Future Food Stars?

Finding out I was a finalist just filled me with confidence and lit an even bigger fire within me. I get to now show my business, Drops of Heal and what I do day-in day-out on the biggest platform. As happy and excited as I was, I knew my goal was to win and not to just be a finalist, it definitely motivated me.

You take on a variety of tasks throughout the series. Which was your favourite task to undertake?

Sometimes the challenges that made me the most uncomfortable were the biggest thrill. Like a live cooking show for Waitrose was terrifying but I loved it. But the one that jumps to mind would be the sauce challenge in Newcastle. I just felt with the product development and sales challenges with the vibe of the locals, I was in my element. Making a hit sauce and sharing it with locals up north was great!

Which week did you find the most challenging and why?

The easy answer would be the grilling weeks but definitely our ready-to-go meal challenge in Manchester. Having disagreements can be healthy in perfecting a product but our team just couldn’t work together from the get go. I put a lot of pressure on myself to perform as it is, so when you know your team could have won, that hurts. That being said, the most challenging weeks were the weeks I learned the most. 

What was your personal highlight from the competition?

Getting compliments from Gordon was really motivating especially as we worked so hard but I’d have to say finding out I was a finalist. It was a huge relief that I had completed all the challenges and to have the opportunity to show what I’ve worked so hard on. I tried not to celebrate too much as the competition went on because my only goal is to win but hearing that gave me a second wind.

What would Gordon Ramsay’s investment mean to you and your business?

Gordon Ramsay’s investment would be huge not just for my business but for me. I came into the competition to apply myself 100% and prove that although my journey is far from the traditional route to entrepreneurship, that my struggle makes me the perfect business partner. As for my business, not only the capital but the expertise and co-sign from the world’s most notorious chef would be monumental. It would enable me to list in the biggest stores and bring us much closer to being the go-to CBD food company.  

Sam

How did it feel when you found out you were a finalist on Gordon Ramsay’s Future Food Stars?

I felt blessed, proud and it was an eye opener. Blessed to be in a position that so many people had applied for, gone through challenges to get to, but Gordon chose me as one of his finalists! WOW! it wasn’t a position I took lightly - I felt honoured to have been selected.

I was proud because I have worked so hard to get Hot N Juicy Shrimp LDN to where it is, non-stop hard graft for 4 years with proven growth, expansion and profit. To get this far and Gordon Ramsay knows my name and my business, a step away from his investment was a proud moment for me. Not to mention I almost chickened out during the application stage so I am very proud that I followed my mantra of “feel the fear and do it anyway”.

It was an eye opener, as sometimes I tend to underestimate my capabilities but this showed me that I am truly capable of anything I put my mind to.

You take on a variety of tasks throughout the series. Which was your favourite task to undertake?

My favourite task was week 7, I was right in my element as this is what I do every day with my business. I create and edit engaging, mouth-watering content, that makes you feel like you can taste the delicious seafood boils through your phone, which has amassed 55,000 followers on Instagram. I enjoyed interacting with the public, creatively capturing the delicious food using the right angles and editing the video. It was definitely a fun challenge not to mention having Uncle Roger critique our videos was really funny.

Which week did you find the most challenging and why?

My most challenging week was week 6, when we had to run the Lucky Cat restaurant. This was challenging for me as I am dyslexic, it can affect my speech, knowing my left from right and my ability to understand and retain information in a short space of time. Typically in my everyday life I have put measures and people in place to support me, so that I can work at my optimum. However, in this situation I felt vulnerable with the spot light on me, it was very hard to watch back.

But I’m not a quitter, I still rose to the challenge. I actually learnt some really valuable lessons from this challenge and from Gordon that I have since used to improve my business and how I train my staff. Even though at the time I felt embarrassed by my disability, this experience as a whole actually boosted my confidence! At the end of the day elevation comes from pushing beyond your comfort zone. Like Gordon would say to us… it’s time to get comfortable being uncomfortable.

What was your personal highlight from the competition?

My personal highlight was Gordon singling me out twice for my contribution to the challenges. The first time was the healthy meal challenge where my cooking skills were complemented and the sauce challenge where my hustling skills were congratulated. These combined are a personal highlight for me due to the nature of my business, and how hard I work. It showed me that I was remaining true to myself. 

What would Gordon Ramsay’s investment mean to you and your business?

The joy that I’d feel if I win Gordon Ramsay’s investment is indescribable! Everything that has been achieved with Hot N juicy Shrimp LDN has been without any loans or investments so having investment, and not just any investment but from Gordon Ramsay will sky rocket our brand and allow it to be an international house hold name, like the Nando’s of seafood boils.

The final of Gordon Ramsay’s Future Food Stars airs Thursday 25 May on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Gordon Ramsay’s Future Food Stars (8x60’) is a Studio Ramsay Global production for BBC One. It has been commissioned by Kate Phillips, in her capacity as Director of Entertainment Commissioning and Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content. It is Executive Produced by Gordon Ramsay, Lisa Edwards, Sharon Powers and Joe Wildman for Studio Ramsay Global. The series will be directed by Mark Drake and Jill Greenwood is Production Executive. The Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Jo Wallace.

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