Will Torrent

Competition	Confectioner/Pastry Chef
Age	21
Qualifications	BSC Culinary Arts Management Degree
Hometown	Iver, Buckinghamshire
Training Provider	Thames Valley University
Training Manager	Yolande Stanley

 

"By competing at WorldSkills I hope to gain valuable experience that will help me move forward in my career. It also gives me the opportunity to learn new cooking techniques within my field and meet new people, as well as representing the country on a world stage."

 

Profile

 

Preparing food for a living has been in Will's family for generations; his grandfather was a chef and his grandmother enjoyed home baking. Will was never pressured to follow suit, but decided to continue the family trend as a result of his food technology classes at school.

Another pivotal moment that helped confirm Will's desire to be a chef was when he spent a week's work experience at The Fat Duck restaurant in Berkshire owned by Heston Blumenthal OBE:

"I was able to shadow Heston and his staff and it opened my eyes to real cooking; and it was then I knew I wanted to be a chef."

As well as working with his training manager, Will has been honing his skills by competing at the Salon Culinaire at Birmingham 2007, Bramley Dessert 2007 and, his most accomplished achievement to date, the prestigious Annual Award of Excellence presented by the Academy of Culinary Arts.

Will is also a performing jazz singer and enjoys playing football, socialising with friends and amateur dramatics. Competition requirements

Employer

 

Will works part-time as a pastry chef at Richings Park Golf and Country Club, a members' golf club and restaurant.

Competition Requirements

 

Will's tasks will include demonstrating his skills in making sweet dishes of all kinds, such as entremet gateaux, afternoon tea pastries, marzipan animals, sugar and pastillage work, desserts and chocolates.