Building on two successful and inspiring cohorts, KETTLE® Chips and renowned best-selling author and TV presenter, Rachel Khoo, officially launch year three of the KETTLE® Khoo Academy – the mentorship initiative offering the next wave of culinary talent a transformative six-months of support in the gourmet food industry.
From November 2026, a fresh group of five standout food pioneers will be selected for the insightful six-month mentorship programme which will run until May 2027. While applications are open to all eligible food lovers and will be equally, the academy encourages women to consider applying, recognising persistent gender gaps across the sector, where women make up only 18.5% of chefs in the UK1. Designed to bridge industry gaps and empower aspiring chefs, the KETTLE® Khoo Academy delivers a blend of expert masterclasses, direct industry networking, and financial support to give rising culinary talent the opportunity to thrive in a competitive space.
The five successful ‘mentees’ will begin their journeys on the programme, anchored by expert guidance by Rachel Khoo herself via a six-month programme of virtual workshops led by industry experts from Valeo Foods UK C-suite board across a range of sectors including brand building and sustainable practice, and a brand-new session on commercial sales skills. Mex Ibrahim, Co-Founder of Women in the Food Industry, will also return to the initiative as one of the judges in the candidate selection process and to run a dedicated workshop on leveraging the power of LinkedIn to grow a business. These sessions are crafted to drive both personal and business development, alongside sparking creativity and community building within the food sector.
Each successful applicant will receive up to £4,000 in financial funding to help overcome everyday career hurdles in the food industry, including acquiring specialist equipment, offsetting kitchen setup and childcare expenses, or pursuing further training in their chosen fields. Previous academy alumni put bursaries to practical use, including funding tuition at prestigious culinary summer schools and securing trade stand space at key industry events to boost brand exposure and strengthen their presence within the industry.
Rachel Khoo, KETTLE® Chef commented: “Over the last two years, it’s been such a privilege to watch our mentees gain the practical skills, network, and confidence to pursue their passions in food. As we enter our third year, I can’t wait to meet our next five mentees – whether you’re a budding food entrepreneur or simply obsessed with flavour, we want to hear from you!”
Saliha Khan Sadozai, founder of Third Culture Kat and Year Two graduate of the KETTLE® Khoo Academy, shared her experience: “The Academy gave me something I didn’t realise I needed as a founder: the space to step out of the day-to-day and turn my passion for Pakistani food heritage and provenance into a strong, sustainable business.” Reflecting on her time in the programme, Saliha added, “Being surrounded by fellow founders on their own journeys and facing similar challenges was incredibly powerful. I came away with new perspectives, a strong network, and a renewed belief in what Third Culture Kat can become.”
To apply, candidates can share a social media post on Instagram or Facebook (tagging @KETTLEChipsUK and #KettleKhooAcademy), explaining who they are and their location (name and country), why they would like to be considered for the KETTLE® Khoo Academy, and what their dream gourmet KETTLE® chip flavour would be, and why. Once this is live, applicants must also submit a short written bio via email to apply@kettlekhooacademy.com, explaining their culinary journey so far, future career ambitions, availability for the 6-month programme, and a link to their social media post.
Applications are open from 11th August 2026 at 00:01 until 22nd September 2026 23:59. UK residents 18+ only. Full T&Cs apply: [link].
