#011 - Chefs On The Pass - Amber Francis - Becoming Champion of Champions

Episode 11 – Amber Francis – Becoming a Champion of Champions

Celebrating Resilience, Community, and Champion-of-Champions Moments

On this episode of Chefs on the Pass, fresh off the back of Great British Menu 2025, Phil sits down with Amber Francis, Champion of Champions, passionate educator, and all-around culinary force, for an unfiltered, inspiring look at life before, during, and after one of the UK’s biggest culinary competitions.

In this honest and open chat, you’ll hear about:

• Keeping the biggest secret in your career, months after filming wraps but before the world finds out.
• What it really takes to train for Great British Menu while juggling a full-time chef job.
• The teamwork, mutual support, and competitive spirit behind the scenes, why it’s not just about the food, but the people you cook alongside.
• The creativity marathon: building not just dishes, but props and stories that connect plate to person
• Moving from the Ritz London and fine dining into the world of school food - what Amber learned, what she thinks needs to change, and why it gives her the ultimate sense of purpose.
• The emotional highs and lows of competition: picking yourself up when things don’t go your way, and what it feels like when your dessert is crowned best of the best.

Listen now for:

• Amber’s advice for anyone thinking about entering a competition or changing career direction.
• Real talk about “tenacity” vs. “stubbornness,” and finding joy in food at every level.
• Why feeding and educating the next generation matters as much as winning trophies.
• Behind-the-scenes stories: from the French Laundry to school canteens, and everywhere in between.

Packed with honesty, inspiration, and passion for the craft, this episode is for anyone who loves food, believes in second (and third!) chances, or wants to hear how chefs are leading change in and out of the kitchen.

Contact Us:

Phil Street (Host) – Connect: Phil’s LinkedIn

Craft Guild of Chefs Website – craftguildofchefs.org

Amber Francis – LinkedIn

Support Our Sponsors:

This episode is brought to you by Ramsden Recruitment – ramsdenrecruitment.co.uk

Stay tuned for more remarkable stories from the pass and beyond, only on “Chefs on the Pass”!