Victory is sweet for former local college student
A FORMER Farnborough student has won a national competition recognising her talent for pastry perfection.
Caitlin Kemp-Powell, 20, was named Master Chefs of Great Britain Young Pastry Chef of the Year for 2020/21 after impressing with her dessert.
The former Farnborough College of Technology student was announced the winner for making a white chocolate bavarois with lemon puree, crisp lemon sponge, dill and pickled cucumber, served in a white chocolate shell with rye meringue.
Caitlin said: “I felt shocked to have won because all of the competitors’ desserts looked amazing.
“It was all a bit of a blur, they called my name and the next thing I knew I was standing up with a trophy in my hands and chefs surrounding me.
“My lecturer at college and the bakery I work for both helped me to develop my skills and improve, and I think that contributed to the competition win.
“My lecturer has been a great chef to me because he always inspired me, believed I could go far, and definitely helped my confidence.”
Caitlin began the competition while studying Level 3 Professional Patisserie and Confectionery with the college.
The competition challenged entrants to demonstrate pastry perfection, testing their ability to make a dessert that uses a variety of patisserie techniques.
Judges commented on the great use of techniques used by Caitlin, describing the texture and flavours of the dessert as stunning.
For winning the competition, Caitlin has been awarded the David Lyell Scholarship trophy, a glass trophy from the Master Chefs of Great Britain, an engraved silver salver, a cash prize and a Chefi knife case roll.
Andreas Hein, hospitality lecturer and Caitlin’s former tutor, said: “Throughout Caitlin’s studies she always expressed a strong passion for pastry cooking.
“We at the college, and especially me as her tutor, are very proud of not only her competition achievements but also of how far she has grown as a professional pastry chef. Caitlin has shown that hard work, perseverance, passion and motivation can achieve amazing results.”