Bolton teenagers step into the heat with a top chef

demoduck.co.uk editorial team 2026-09-07 18:20 3 min read

A young chef smiling while holding a whisk in a professional kitchen setting.

Tabitha Glenholme and Thomas Parkinson have been crowned the first winners of Bolton Young Chef of the Year after five months spent learning inside a commercial kitchen.

The pair won their respective age categories in the programme for 11 to 17-year-olds, which formed part of Bolton Food and Drink Festival. Their names were revealed on stage during a presentation by celebrity chef James Martin.

The award completed a longer journey for 12 young participants, whose experience went beyond watching demonstrations or following recipes at home. Under the guidance of professional chef Mike Harrison and chef lecturer Jackie McKnight, they worked in a professional setting and developed skills connected to both cookery and hospitality.

Five months of learning in a commercial kitchen

The workshops gave the teenagers access to an environment that young home cooks rarely experience. Sessions introduced them to the pace, discipline and teamwork involved in preparing food professionally, while allowing them to build confidence under the supervision of experienced chefs.

The programme was created for the festival with sponsorship from Step Places. Its stated aim was to offer a distinctive culinary experience and encourage an interest in cooking as a possible future career.

Tabitha said the support and guidance she received had helped her progress. She described leaving the programme with greater confidence and independence, and encouraged other aspiring young chefs to take opportunities when they arise.

Thomas said the experience had opened possibilities for his future in the culinary industry. He also recommended the programme to young people who may simply want to develop new skills, even if they have not decided on a career path.

A three-course lunch put every skill to work

For their final session, the 12 participants prepared and served a luxury three-course lunch. That placed them on both sides of a hospitality service: cooking in the kitchen and delivering the finished meal in a fast-paced setting.

The exercise brought together the practical lessons developed over the preceding months. It also exposed the group to the coordination required when food preparation, timing and service must work together for guests.

The initiative added an educational strand to a festival already built around chefs, food traders and family entertainment. Readers interested in another chef-led regional event can also explore this family food festival guide.

James Martin welcomed the winners to the stage

The young chefs attended James Martin’s cookery demonstration during Bolton Food and Drink Festival before being invited into the spotlight themselves. Following advice from Martin, Tabitha and Thomas received their awards as the programme’s inaugural winners.

All 12 participants then joined a private backstage meeting with the chef. Each received a signed James Martin cookery book and had a photograph taken to mark the end of the programme.

Councillor Debbie Newall, Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Culture, congratulated the winners and the wider group, saying the programme had strengthened the festival’s educational offer. Step Places managing director Harinder Dhaliwal said the participants’ passion and dedication had been a highlight and expressed hope that the experience could influence their future career choices.

The programme concluded during the 21st Bolton Food and Drink Festival, which recorded more than 412,000 visitors and featured celebrity chefs, live entertainment, family activities and artisan markets.

Source: Bolton Council News

Context & actions About this article

Source check How this story was checked

Names, programme details, quotations and festival figures were checked against the original Bolton Council News report.

Checks

Confirmed Tabitha Glenholme and Thomas Parkinson as the winners in their respective age gr...
Checked that 12 participants aged 11 to 17 completed five months of culinary sessions.
Confirmed that the final exercise involved preparing and serving a three-course lunch.
Checked the reported festival attendance figure of more than 412,000 visitors.

Bolton Council News Check related coverage