UWL student passes prestigious pastry exam
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This year is the 20th Anniversary of the CGC Graduate Awards, which offers chefs under 25 the chance to improve their culinary skills, build confidence and network with industry peers.
Commenting on receiving the good news, Katrina said:
I was really surprised to hear my name - I had never been involved in a competition like this before and all the other chefs who competed were full-time Pastry Chefs while I was the only student.”
To pass is recognised as a national achievement and it opens many doors for the young aspiring chefs to get jobs at some of the top restaurants in the UK.
Katrina’s mentor, UWL Lecturer - Ben Christopherson, says he’s extremely proud of her dedication.
She gave up her summer to come into an extremely hot kitchen, up to three times a week, to practise and she has done so well as a result of that hard work and dedication” he added.
For the pastry exam, one of the tasks was a mystery box of ingredients that the chefs had to turn into a dish. Katrina created a Sable with a blackberry puree and a whipped ganache.
Katrina is now starting the final year of her BSc (Hons) in Culinary Arts Management at the London Geller College of Hospitality and Tourism.
I am really excited to see what opportunities arise from this award once I look for a pastry chef role after I graduate,” she says.
Katrina wasn’t the only person who came away with an award, Ben also received the CGC Graduate Awards - Mentor Chef of the Year.
It is such an honour to be Mentor Chef of the year,” he says. "It’s a real honour to be recognised in this way by my colleagues - for myself, the University and the students.”
We would also like to congratulate UWL Alumni Catarina Melo who also passed the CGC Graduate Awards - Pastry Exam and received the highest achiever award, well done!
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