Chef finds recipe for success in apprenticeship competition

9:16am Wednesday 23rd July 2008

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A MICKLETON chef has success on her menu after finishing joint second in her category at the fifth annual National Apprenticeship Awards.

Sarah Abbott, 20, joint runner-up in the Advanced Apprentice in Professional Cookery category, works at Mickleton's Three Ways House Hotel - home of the world famous Pudding Club.

Stratford College, where Sarah studied cookery from 2005 to 2007, nominated her for the award about a month ago and this saw her completing a questionnaire and sending it to the Learning and Skills Council which organises the competition.

The council then invited her to attend a ceremony at London's Royal Horticultural Halls where the winners and runners-up, in the various categories, were announced.

Sarah, twice a South West Chef of the Year competition finalist, beat about 1,400 rivals to win her award which she hopes will help her fulfil her ambition of opening her own restaurant.

This West Sussex woman, who moved to Gloucestershire to experience another part of the country, became a chef because she felt it was the career in which she could exploit her two strongest traits - creativity and practicality.

She said: "My apprenticeship has made me a stronger and more determined person.

"It has helped transform my passion for food into the skills I need to become a competent chef, as well as reinforcing my commitment to carving out a career in this industry."