Frank Finlay is asking the people of County Down to support his bid to win the prestigious ‘People’s Choice Award’ at the City & Guilds Medals for Excellence Lion Awards and cap a remarkable few years since retiring as Parks Manager for Down District Council.
After taking early retirement, Frank, with a passion for food decided to enrol on a Professional Cookery course at the South Eastern Regional College (SERC) to learn the industry standards of preparing food. Upon commencing full-time study at SERC and under the guidance of catering lecturers Michael Gillies and Michelle McCarthy Frank excelled and progressed from a Level 2 to Level 3 qualification, which he will complete in the next few weeks. He has also gained part-time employment at the Dufferin Coaching Inn where he works as a Breakfast Chef.
In a class of school leavers Frank admits that ” It was slightly surreal to find myself back in full-time education with people not even a third of my age but I have to acknowledge that my fellow students’ enthusiasm and zest for life has made the experience even more enjoyable.” Frank has excelled during his time at SERC with one of the highlights being when he appeared on ITV’s Britain’s Best Dish last summer.
You can vote via the Lion Awards page on Facebook – www.facebook.com/lionsawards2011 and click on the ‘People’s Choice Vote’ in the left hand menu, then scroll down until you find Frank Finlay and click ‘Vote Now’.
[caption id="attachment_23761" align="alignright" width="400" caption="South Eastern Regional College student Frank Finlay, centre, receives his City and Guilds Gold Medal of Excellence and certificates from James Currie, Head of School for Business, Hospitality and Tourism at SERC and Michelle McCarthy, Catering Lecturer."]
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In more recent times Frank has been awarded a City & Guilds Medal for Excellence for his performance whilst studying his Professional Cookery qualification. The Medal for Excellence recognises and rewards exceptional work by learners through their contributions and efforts in the learning environment.
As part of the award Frank will be attending a night of celebration in London and will be in the running for one of the prestigious Lion Awards and he is asking people to help him win this award.
Frank put his return to full-time education into context when he recalled his first ever certificate he received which, thanks to his mother he still has. He said, “Like most proud parents, my mother kept every certificate I was ever awarded. A few days ago I was looking through them and came across the first certificate I ever received and it too was from City & Guilds but in the field of Mechanical Engineering. I received it in 1962, and here I am now, 49 years later receiving another City and Guilds certificate but in a completely different vocation. I am honoured to receive the Medal for Excellence and would love to finish it off by bringing the ‘People’s Choice Award’ back to Northern Ireland. I would be grateful if people could take a moment and vote for me.”
In another strange twist of fate Frank studied his initial City & Guilds qualification in what was then known as ‘Bangor Tech’, which of course now is part of South Eastern Regional College.
Vote for Frank now on: www.facebook.com/lionsawards2011]]>
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