Earlier this year, iCQ Awards, in partnership with People 1st International, launched iCQ Future Stars. We’re proud to support this first of its kind initiative, designed to support and empower the next generation of hospitality professionals.

The scheme provides every iCQ-registered hospitality apprentice (or apprenticeship framework in Wales and Northern Ireland) with high-quality, branded professional wear. Alongside this, a £10,000 Future Stars Fund has been established to further support hospitality apprentices – with grants of up to £500 available per recognised centre.

The Future Stars Fund is all about learner enrichment – broadening horizons, building confidence, and supporting hands-on learning experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. While £500 may seem modest, used creatively it can unlock powerful opportunities that leave a lasting impression on apprentices and help shape their future careers in hospitality.

Below are several ideas to spark inspiration for how recognised centres could use the grant for maximum impact.
 

1. Inspiring learning through Michelin-level exposure

Few experiences are as motivating for an aspiring chef or hospitality professional as stepping into a Michelin-starred kitchen.

A Future Stars Grant could help fund travel and entry costs for a small group of apprentices to visit an award-winning restaurant, observe service and hear directly from leading chefs about their career journey.

Seeing excellence in action can be transformational. Apprentices gain inspiration, a better understanding of high-performance kitchens, and an insight into where a dedication to their craft can take them.
 

2. Exploring the supply chain behind great hospitality

Hospitality doesn’t begin and end in the kitchen. Visiting a key supplier, such as a fishmonger, greengrocer, bakery or wholesale food distributor, gives learners valuable insight into sourcing, sustainability, cost control and quality assurance.

Understanding where ingredients come from and how supplier relationships work help apprentices appreciate the full supply chain, strengthening their professionalism and commercial awareness. £500 could cover travel costs and organise a structured educational visit for learners who may never have seen this side of the industry before.
 

3. Connecting apprenticess to ethical and sustainable food production

A visit to a farm that supplies meat, dairy or produce can be a powerful learning experience. Apprenticess can see first-hand how food is reared or grown, explore animal welfare or environmental practices, and make stronger connections between sustainability and menu planning.

These experiences encourage respect for ingredients and promote responsible cooking and purchasing habits, which are key values in modern hospitality. The grant can support transport, guided tours or even tasting sessions that bring learning vividly to life.
 

4. Investing in essential training equipment

Some equipment is simply beyond the everyday budget of training kitchens or workplaces, but it can make a huge difference to learning outcomes. A Future Stars grant could be used to purchase or replace vital equipment such as specialist knives, small appliances, pastry tools, coffee equipment or front-of-house service items.

It could also support the creation of an outdoor cooking space, for example by contributing towards a pizza oven, smoker or BBQ. This type of setup allows apprentices to explore different cooking techniques, expand their creativity and gain experience in areas such as street food, live-fire cooking and alfresco service.

Investing in the right tools ensures apprentices can practise modern techniques, build confidence and develop skills that directly translate into real-world hospitality environments.
 

5. Bringing industry expertise directly to apprentices

Bringing expertise directly to apprentices can be just as impactful as taking them out. The grant could be used to host a guest chef, barista, sommelier, or hospitality manager to deliver a focused masterclass or workshop.

From knife skills and pastry techniques to customer service excellence or leadership basics, these sessions offer apprentices the chance to learn from industry professionals, ask questions and explore specialist areas they may not otherwise encounter.
 

6. Broadening career horizons beyond the kitchen

Hospitality careers are diverse and not all learning happens in the kitchen. The grant could support apprentices visiting a food innovation centre, hotel group head office, events venue, or hospitality trade show, helping them to understand the breadth of roles available within the industry.

This kind of experience broadens career aspirations and supports learners who may be interested in management, events, development kitchens or commercial roles.
 

7. Hosting an open day or learner led-cookery competition

The Future Stars Grant could also be used to help organisations run their own open day or small-scale cookery competition, giving apprentices the opportunity to showcase their skills in a supportive, professional setting.

Funding could contribute towards ingredients, equipment hires, judging support, prizes, or promotional materials. For apprentices, taking part in an event like this builds confidence, encourages teamwork, and develops valuable skills such as time management, creativity, communication and working under pressure.

Open days and competitions also create opportunities to engage employers, inspire prospective apprentices, and celebrate the achievements of existing ones. This helps raise the profile of hospitality training while putting learners firmly in the spotlight.
 

Making a meaningful difference

The iCQ Future Stars Fund is designed to be flexible, accessible and learner focused. Whether you’re inspiring apprentices with industry-leading experiences, strengthening practical skills through better equipment, or opening eyes to the wider world of hospitality, the key is clear impact.

However your approved centre decides to use the grant, we’re excited to see the creative and thoughtful ways you invest in the future stars of hospitality, and we look forward to sharing the stories that come from them.

Apply for a Future Stars grant today →