Connections
In the press
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http:www.guardian.co.ok/
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http://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/news
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http://www.eatoutmagazine.co.uk
Flickr
Biography
Stefan Howells
Skill:
Confectioner Pastry Competition Results:
Medallion for
Excellence
Excellence
Date of Birth:
21/04/1990
Home Town:
Oxford
Employer:
Le Manoir Aux Quat'Saisons
Qualifications:
NVQ level 2 in all aspects of catering
Distinction in Pastry Cooks 9 GCSEs
Are you City & Guilds qualified?:
Yes
What made you choose this career?:
I became a chef for my love of food but also through my father being a chef. I used to love watching him at work and love the busy crazy services I would see
How did you hear about competitions? :
My chef came up to me the day he promoted me and asked if I wanted to do a competition. I said ok, then he asked if I would like to do this competition as well, and I thought yeah why not, it’s just a competition! But I’ve realised it a lot more than just a competition it can do a lot for me in the next year.
What are your biggest personal achievements so far?:
Getting a job at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons at just 18 and staying there ever since. With 2 Michelin stars and a boss like Raymond Blanc I feel very honoured and privileged to be there and wouldn’t be in Squad UK if it wasn’t for this place.
What’s your ambition?:
I hope to travel the world and look for inspiration before I settle down and open a restaurant or patisserie.
What are you hoping for by competing for a place at WorldSkills London 2011? :
I hope to gain as much knowledge and experience over the course of time we have left, whether or not I am selected for Team UK I believe it’s a great chance and a great experience to be doing this.
What do your family and friends think about you competing?:
They think it’s amazing that maybe in less than a year I could be representing the UK in WorldSkills. Also my work have been very supportive and I couldn’t have got this far without my chef Benoit Blin and my colleagues.
What would you say to other young people considering a vocational career?:
I would say just go for it. If you’re not very academic and enjoy hands on, practical work, this would be perfect for you. I was quite academic at school but didn’t enjoy book work and sitting at a desk and am glad I found myself in something I love.
What do you think getting involved in international competitions could do for your career?:
I believe that doing a competition like this, especially in my line of work will open a lot of doors for me whether it’s going to visit other hotels or making contacts so that in the future if I decide to leave I shall have many opportunities to choose from and not just in this country.
Something we didn’t know about you...:
I have size 15 feet and am an amazing dancer, but you already knew that.