2023 Student Pastry Chef of the Year is Open for Entries!
Take your pastry to the next level and enter our brilliant student pastry chef competition and win big at the same time. The competition is now in its third year and those that enter will be competing in front of the finest pastry chefs in the country. Both Cherish Finden and Benoit Blin from Bake Off: The Professionals are part of the judging panel.
The shortage of highly-skilled young pastry chefs is well documented, so it is our intention to showcase the great student and apprentice talent within the UK’s colleges, learning providers and universities. We also want to showcase the creative and highly rewarding career opportunities available to a wider audience.
The preliminary round is in writing. We need:
- A brief CV and a short introduction about yourself (100-150 words).
- Three photos of either plated desserts, cakes and/or decorative items you have produced.
- A description outlining why you wish to enter the competition. This can be presented on video or in writing.
Timeline
- Friday 3rd March at 17:00 – Closing date for the preliminary round.
- Monday 13th March – The successful student pastry chefs progressing to the semi-finals will be notified by email, with details of the requirements for the semi-final task.
- Friday 31st March at 17:00 – Submission deadline for the semi-final task: From the 20 semi-finalists, the judging team will select the top 8 entries to progress to the grand final.
- Monday 17th April – Announcement of the 8 finalists. Wednesday 10th May – Grand Final, live at West London College.
Meet the Judges
- Michael Kwan – Executive Pastry Chef at The Dorchester and UK Pastry Team
- Chris Underwood – Artisserie
- Michael D’Angelo – Head Pastry Chef at Louie London
- Franciane Tartari – Executive Pastry Chef at Amazonico
- Daniel Pearse – Executive Pastry Chef at Rhubarb
- Enrico Carloni – Head Pastry Chef at The Peninsula
- Biju Joshwa – Executive Pastry Chef at Sheraton Grand Park Lane
- Cherish Finden – Executive Pastry Chef at Pan Pacific/Bake Off: The Professionals Judge
- Nelson Sa – Head Pastry Chef at South Place
- Thibault Hauchard – Executive Pastry Chef at Claridge’s
- Benoit Blin – Executive Pastry Chef at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons/Bake Off: The Professionals Judge
Win big with our superb prizes.
Winner:
- £400 voucher from Mitchell & Cooper
- A selection of products from Henley Bridge
- A Bragard hat, trousers, jacket & apron
- Matfer Bourgeat product bundle
- A copy of The Chefs’ Knowledge – The Modern Culinary Repertoire
- £300 voucher from Wedgwood
Runner-up:
- £250 voucher from Mitchell & Cooper
- A selection of products from Henley Bridge
- Matfer Bourgeat product bundle
- A Bragard jacket up to £100 RRP
- A copy of The Chefs’ Knowledge – The Modern Culinary Repertoire
Third Place:
- A selection of products from Henley Bridge
- Matfer Bourgeat product bundle
- A Bragard apron of choice
- A copy of The Chefs’ Knowledge – The Modern Culinary Repertoire
Please send your completed entries to alexandra@redcherry.uk.com by Friday 3rd March 2023 at 17:00.
