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.
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!”
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.
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
Rochdale has been named Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2025
Emily Sergeant
Rochdale has officially been named Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture for 2025.
Taking over the reins from Bolton – which held the title in 2024 – and following in the footsteps of Stockport before that, which held the title in 2023, and even hosted a massive ‘Town of Culture Weekender’ festival with 50+ free events to celebrate and bring its title year to a close, it’s now the turn of the north-eastern Greater Manchester borough of Rochdale.
Rochdale’s year will build on the town’s already-rich cultural history and international reputation as the home of the co-operative movement.
More than 35 arts organisations will be bringing together an ambitious programme of festivals, exhibitions, events, and performances throughout the year.
Unfamiliar with what the ‘Greater Manchester Town of Culture’ title is all about? It’s an accolade that’s handed out every year to different boroughs across the region.
Bury was the inaugural title-holder 2020 and held onto it in 2021 too due to the COVID pandemic, before being followed by Stalybridge in 2022, Stockport in 2023, and of course, Bolton in the year just gone.
The title celebrates Greater Manchester’s culture and heritage.
As well as getting a new title to shout about, it also sees the towns given a grant from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) culture fund to help develop a programme of cultural events and activities throughout the year.
Rochdale has been named Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2025 / Credit: The Manc Group | Rochdale Council
In Rochdale’s case, you can expect the ‘very best local talent’, as this year is promising to put ‘people power’ centre stage, with residents helping to plan, develop, and deliver a lineup of creative activities, alongside a number of major events.
This includes the popular free days out for families, an exciting new urban arts festival, two different food and drink festivals, a lantern parade, the Ignite Fire Festival, a Pride parade, and so much more.
You can also expect live music performances, a new people’s gallery, and even some major international collaborations that are yet to be announced.
Rochdale is taking over the reins from Bolton, which held the title in 2024 / Credit: Rochdale Council
“Rochdale is a place with a rich cultural history, so it is great to name it Greater Manchester’s town of culture as it’s town hall and town centre enter a new era,” commented Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham as the borough was crowned this week.
“Rochdale submitted a fantastic bid for this which, was incredibly exciting and ambitious, while being firmly rooted in its local talent and deep history.
“We are definitely going to see the very best of what Rochdale has to offer over the next 12 months and people will come from far and wide to see it.”
Featured Image – Rochdale Council
News
The Lowry Theatre undergoes revamp following Biffa Award grant
Danny Jones
The Lowry in Salford Quays has had a bit of TLC with one of its biggest theatre spaces undergoing a pretty significant refurb this past month.
Following a well-deserved grant distributed via the Biffa Award, a multi-million-pound fund that helps to build communities and transform lives through community and environmental projects across the UK, the legendary local theatre received nearly £75k last year.
As a result, all 440 seats and various other aspects of The Lowry‘s Quays Theatre have now been renovated and refurbished.
The short story is, she looks more gorgeous than ever – see for yourself:
Being initially handed over in March 2024, The Lowry was awarded a total of £74,816 to reupholster seating in the venue’s Quays Theatre with new padding and fabric.
After almost 25 years of constant use as one of the most popular theatres in the North, the seats in the Quays Theatre were much in need of a refurb, and with work completed in December, Lowry visitors can now enjoy watching the venue’s wide range of theatre, dance, comedy and drama in comfort.
The work was actually carried out between July and December, with seats being carefully removed in batches and reupholstered off-site.
This was made possible due to the Biffa Award’s most recent ‘Cultural Facilities’ theme, which aims to improve recreation, interest and education, drawing funds from the UK government’s wider Landfill Communities Fund.
The old fabric and padding were disposed of sustainably, with lots of it being repurposed where possible to minimise waste and all the new materials used meet current guidance for safety and quality.
The Lowry’s Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Development, Gwen Oakden, said of the long overdue update:“It is so important that our audiences are able to enjoy our world-class performing arts programme in a comfortable and welcoming space.
“For many visitors to the Quays Theatre, this is their first experience of live performance – often to see a family show or as part of a school trip. We really want it to be the best experience possible, and for them to begin a lifelong relationship with Lowry.
“As a registered charity, without the generous support of this Biffa Award, for which we’re hugely grateful, we couldn’t have carried out this important work for our audiences.
As we head into our 25th Anniversary year, we are delighted to be able to welcome audiences and visitors can enjoy the beautiful and revived Quays Theatre.”
As for the Biffa side of things, Grants Manager Rachel Maidment added: “We are delighted to have supported The Lowry in refurbishing the Quays Theatre seating, ensuring audiences can continue to enjoy performances in comfort.
“Through Biffa’s Cultural Facilities theme, we fund projects that provide engaging and inspiring spaces for communities. The Lowry is a key cultural venue, and we’re proud that our funding, made possible through the government Fund, has helped enhance the experience for visitors for years to come.”
Like most Mancs, we love The Lowry, so here’s to hosting countless more theatregoers in the most comfortable seats possible for generations to come.
We’ve been to some brilliant performances around here of late.
Georgina Pellant -
31st March 2022 
