A brand new primetime show from everyone’s favourite sweary TV chef is due to hit our screens this week, merging the worlds of cooking shows with the competitive, on-screen world of business TV.
Called Gordon Ramsay’s Future Food Stars, it’s being billed as an Apprentice-style series (but for foodies), with contestants battling it out to win a £150,000 fund to help kickstart their business.
And we’ve been tipped off that early episodes airing this week will feature a Manchester-based entrepreneur keen to make her mark.
Enter Steph Buttery, the founder of Japanese inspired sour soft drinks brandsChu Lo – hand-picked by Gordon Ramsay as one of twelve of the UK’s best up-and-coming food and drink entrepreneurs.
Steph will take on the weekly cookery and business-led challenges as she battles it out against other budding entrepreneurs for the chance to win an investment from Gordon himself.
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Speaking of the experience, she said: “I can’t wait for the series to launch and to see the reaction from viewers.
“It was an incredible opportunity and hopefully people are thoroughly entertained. For anyone considering applying, go for it!”
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Who is Gordon Ramsay’s Future Food Stars contestant Steph Buttery?
The Manchester-based entrepreneur has been named as one of the first contestants to appear on the first-ever BBC series of Gordon Ramsey’s Future Food Stars.
Steph is the founder of the Japanese-inspired sour soft drinks brand,Chu Lo, which she launched in 2019 after serving twelve years in the Royal navy.
Following her passion for the unique Japanese flavours she enjoyed whilst deployed in the Far East, Steph set out to create her own line of non-alcoholic, vegan-friendly, gluten-free, sour soft drinks here in the UK.
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Steph Buttery is a former Navy staffer and the founder of the Japanese-inspired sour soft drinks brand,Chu Lo. / Image: Supplied
Today, Chu Lo now has four tantalising flavours available in apple, lemon, peach and cherry and the business has since secured huge deals with industry giants including YO! Sushi and Belong Gaming Arenas.
Since February this year, Chu Lo Drinks has also been supplying outlets across the US and EU.
But Steph’s success doesn’t stop there. Most recently, she joined the ensemble of business owners for the first series of Gordon Ramsay’s latest TV show endeavour, Gordon Ramsay’s Future Food Stars.
Steph joined the series to step out of her comfort zone and challenge herself against other keen business minds.
Contestants on the show come from all across the UK. Worcestershire chef Amit has created a range of bottled Indian sauces from his family recipes and Londoner Leah creates free-from brownies for those with allergies and inolerances.
Ex-Navy chef Jamie has a mussel bar in Macclesfield and PR graduate Asher runs a jam, chutney and marmalade business from her home in the Rhondda Valley. Meanwhile, Jen from Castleford creates low-sugar bottled cocktails whilst Londoner Matthew wants to set up a zero-waste restaurant.
There’s also health coach Bola, who has created low-calorie apple cider vinegar seltzers, Michelle from Perthshire selling Scottish steamed puddings (also known as clootie dumplings), Londoner Victoria and her award-winning plantain and vegan snacks, and Italian Vincenzo who has set up his own artisan smoked salmon brand.
Last but not least, there is also Valentina who is launching a vegan cake mix and cafe in the capital.
When is the release date?
Coming soon to BBC One, the eight-part series sees the formidable chef set a series of challenges for twelve budding entrepreneurs as they compete to win a £150,000 investment for their business.
The series kicks off on Thursday 31 March on BBC One at 9pm. It will also be available on BBC iPlayer.
Feature image – Youtube / Supplied
News
Manchester Pride enters voluntary liquidation ‘with enormous sadness’
Daisy Jackson
Manchester Pride has announced that the company has entered the process of voluntary liquidation, after it emerged that several of this year’s performers had gone unpaid.
The hugely popular LGBTQ+ event, which spills from the Gay Village and into surrounding venues every August bank holiday weekend, said it has faced ‘rising costs, declining ticket sales, and an ambitious refresh of format’.
Manchester Pride said that all of these factors, among others, have led to the organisation being ‘no longer financially viable’ and its staff team will be made redundant.
“We, along with the team, have put our hearts and souls into the celebration and community activities over two decades and are very distressed at the position in which we find ourselves,” the Board of Trustees wrote.
Last week, it emerged that a number of artists who appeared at this year’s celebration had shared a letter that alleges they are still waiting for payment for their work at the festival.
In a statement shared this afternoon, Manchester Pride added that they have been unsuccessfully seeking ‘financial opportunities’ to find a ‘positive solution’.
Manchester Pride wrote: “We had hoped to be able to find a way to continue, and, most importantly, to support our artists, contractors and partners.
“Despite our best efforts, sadly, this has not proved to be possible. We are sincerely sorry for those who will now lose out financially from the current situation.”
Manchester Pride’s statement in full
It is with enormous sadness that we announce that Manchester Pride has started the legal process of voluntary liquidation.
A combination of rising costs, which are affecting the entire events and hospitality industries, declining ticket sales and an ambitious refresh of the format aimed to challenge these issues, along with an unsuccessful bid to host Euro Pride, has led to the organisation no longer being financially viable.
We regret the delays in communicating the current situation; however, we were keen not to jeopardise financial opportunities while our discussions were ongoing. We were proactive and determined to identify solutions to the financial issues. We’ve been actively working with several partners, including legal and financial advisors, to do everything we could to find a positive solution. We had hoped to be able to find a way to continue, and, most importantly, to support our artists, contractors and partners. Despite our best efforts, sadly, this has not proved to be possible. We are sincerely sorry for those who will now lose out financially from the current situation.
The volunteer Board of Trustees are devastated at this situation and sad to share that our staff team will be made redundant. We, along with the team, have put our hearts and souls into the celebration and community activities over two decades and are very distressed at the position in which we find ourselves. We would like to sincerely offer our thanks to all of our staff, volunteers and supporters who have contributed so much to Manchester Pride over the years.
The organisation has achieved a great deal since its creation and, in particular, since the Covid pandemic. This includes:
● 237,000 visitors to the city
● £104.8m of economic impact
● 148 grants being made to grass roots community groups
● Positive positioning of Manchester as an inclusive city
We hope and believe that this leaves a positive and lasting legacy for the Pride movement in Greater Manchester, and that it will continue long into the future. We will do everything we can to support this moving forward.
The Manchester Pride team have now handed over the details of suppliers and artists who are owed money to the liquidators who will be handling the affairs of the Charity and contacting everyone.
Greater Manchester Police release latest image of elderly missing woman last seen in Oldham
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester Police have released a new image of an elderly missing woman after she was last seen in the Oldham area.
The 76-year-old lady, named only as Susette, who is believed to be from the Shaw area, was most recently spotted on Oak Street at approximately 8:56pm this past Monday, 20 October.
Officers and locals alike are understandably growing increasingly concerned for her welfare.
Susette is described as an older white female, around 5’4″ in height, with a slim build and light blonde/greyish hair. You can see the latest sighting of her down below.
Police previously stated that she had been seen wearing a blue anorak, blue jeans, a beige jumper with black stripes and black trainers with white trim.
However, as you can see, she has since been spotted in a similar outfit, apart from now wearing a cream jacket, black trousers and black ‘running-style’ trainers with a white sole.
It is also now understood that she has dementia and is therefore considered vulnerable.
Local Liberal Democrat and councillor, Howard Sykes MBE, has also asked his fellow constituents to remain vigilant and come forward with any and all potentially useful information they may have.
Sharing another photo of her via his official online blog, he went on to add: “Please can we ask anyone with any information to please contact GMP and to keep a lookout when out and about in the community to ensure Susette is found safe and well.”
New from me: Missing Person – Urgent appeal
Missing Person – Urgent appeal.
There is currently a lady from Shaw missing, Susette was last seen leaving her home in Shaw on 20/10/25, 21:00pm approximately . It is believed she’s … https://t.co/oLSCoglqZNpic.twitter.com/x4sHJNhkzY
Georgina Pellant -
31st March 2022 
