Portaferry Student Chef With SERC Chases Awards

SERC student shortlisted for Craft Guild of Chefs Award

A South Eastern Regional College (SERC) student has been shortlisted for a prestigious Craft Guild of Chefs Award – the chefs’ Oscars, which recognises the exceptional talent across the whole of the industry across the UK.

Eimear McCarthy, (19), from Portaferry, honed her skills on the Level 2 Bakery course before progressing to the Level 3 in Patisserie and Confectionery.

She is currently completing a Level 3 Hospitality with Events at the College’s Bangor Campus.

No stranger to success, Eimear won a Silver Medal for her chocolate work at IFEX, a Silver in the WorldSkillsUK National Finals in November, and was one of the team of three SERC students who lifted the top prize in the Royal Navy ‘Cook and Serve’ competition.

She was also recognised at SERC’s recent Excellence Awards when she was joint winner of the FE Student of the Year for Bangor Campus.

Eimear said: “I am delighted to be shortlisted for such a prestigious award and to represent both SERC and Northern Ireland.

“I cannot believe how much I have achieved and learnt over the past three years at SERC, from setting up my own enterprise Eimear Bakes (available on Instagram and Facebook), to being selected for a two-week work and study placement in Valencia.

“I have really pushed my skills, knowledge and learning in all the competitions and soaked up all the extra mentoring, tuition and teamwork camaraderie which comes with taking part in such activities.”

Patisserie and Confectionery Course Co-ordinator, Paul Monaghan, said: “We are thrilled that Eimear has been shortlisted for a Craft Guild of Chefs Award.  

“She is a fantastic ambassador for the College and for the industry and has already proved she has all the ingredients to keep herself in the podium place for the industry.”

Winners will be announced at what promises to be a glittering event on 1 June at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in London.

Visit www.serc.ac.uk .