Pastry chef on a roll after intern selection
Top hotel chain picks Emma for Dubai post
A trainee pastry chef who studies at Forth Valley College has landed a plum intern post with a top hotel chain.
Emma Hair (19) from Bannockburn – who is studying for an HNC professional cookery at the college’s Stirling campus - is to spend six month with the Jumeriah Group in Dubai, starting in July this year.
She is joining an organisation which in Dubai has 500 kitchen staff – around 68 of them pastry chefs – and at least 60 restaurants. And the opportunity could lead to a full-time job in the future.
Emma, said: “It’s amazing. I never thought I would ever get the chance to do something like this. I never had much luck at school with exams, but have absolutely loved it at FVC and couldn’t have asked for better.
“I was encouraged to apply for the internship through the college and had to undergo two phone interviews before I got confirmation I had been successful.
“I will be based in the pastry department at the Jumeriah Group , in the cake section working with chocolate and praline and ingredients like these. I can’t wait.
FVC hospitality operations manager Aiveen Cassidy, said: “Emma has done extremely well here and we are all proud of her. These internships are highly sought after and the standard they are looking for is very high. We are confident she will go out to Dubai and do very well there and throughout her career. We wish her all the best for the future and will be keeping an eye on her progress.”
Emma was also part of a 12 -strong FVC hospitality team, led by chef lecturer Martin Luti, which helped A’Challtainn Fish Restaurant & Bar at Barras Art and Design host Masterchef Professional 2016 winner Gary Maclean recently and serve up an exciting menu and skills showcase.
Garry Gill, head chef at A’Challtainn – winner of the List’s Best Newcomer of the Year award – met with Diane Creed, FVC’s Head of Hospitality and Salon Services, and was given a tour of the campus by Martin Luti where he took time to speak with Emma.
Garry, said: “Emma stood out 100 per cent at Gary Maclean’s showcase at our restaurant and we were keen to see to see what she thought about the experience.”
Emma, said: “A’Challtainn was great. We were under a lot of pressure, but what an experience it was and I really enjoyed it.”