Awards and Achievements:

2020:       Technical Advisor at The UK Chocolate Academy

2019:        Featured on Extreme Chocolate Makers on Channel 4  
 
​2017:        Launch of Mastering Chocolate

​2016:        Winner of BBC Two's Bake Off Crème de la Creme

2014:        Chocolate dress displayed at Harvey Nichols,
                   London and at the Salon du Chocolat London
 
2013:        Chocolate dress for Salon du Chocolat London

2011:        Launch of Squires Kitchens Guide to Working with
                  Macaroons

2010:        Launch of Squires Kitchens Guide to Working with 
                  Chocolate  

2010:        200th Baddley Cake

2009:       UK Callebaut Chocolate Ambassador 

2009:        7th in the World Chocolate Masters Final in Paris

2009:        Showpiece in front window of Harrods, London

2008:        UK Chocolate Master
 
2007:        12th in the World Chocolate Masters Final in Paris
 
2006:        UK Chocolate Master
 

My Profile 

 
I have been working for over 25 years as a pâtissier and chocolatier in an industry which I have a great passion for. I remember from a very early age watching both my grandmothers making sweet things and from as early as that I always knew I wanted to work in this area.
 
For my first job, I worked at a local hotel at the weekends in the pastry kitchen which I loved. My best memories of working there were the New Year’s Eve buffets we made; we could really go to town with them and make all kinds of pastries.  I was only 16 and this was where I met a very dear man, Martin Nash, who would have a huge influence on my life and career throughout the years. 
 
Throughout my career I have worked in many hotels and restaurants including The Lanesborough on Hyde Park Corner in London, Lainston House Hotel in Winchester, Hotel du Vin Group in Winchester and Bristol and the Pave D’Auge in Normandy, France. I have also cooked for several well-known figures including President George Bush Sr., Cher, Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman and HRH Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex to name but a few.
 
I have received many awards for my chocolate and pâtisserie work over the years: I have earned many gold and silver medals for my desserts and petits fours, as well as double gold for my chocolate showpieces. My highest achievements, however, have been winning the UK Chocolate Masters competition from 2006 to 2008, and coming 12th in 2007 and 7th in 2009 at the finals of the World Chocolate Masters. It was such a great honour to be able to represent the UK.
 
After these accomplishments, I was made a UK Callebaut Chocolate Ambassador which is a position I have held for the last five years. I have a great passion for teaching and enjoy passing on my skills to all kinds of people. I teach a range of classes from chocolate and pâtisserie, to 5-day chocolate and baking schools at Squires Kitchen International Cookery School in Farnham, Season Cookery School at Lainston House, Winchester and Callebaut Chocolate Academy in Banbury.  
 
In 2010 I accepted the great honour of making the 200th Baddeley Cake for the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, a tradition that dates back to 1794. The cake was based on the musical Oliver! which was running at the time. I am a regular contributor to Cakes & Sugarcraft and Squires Kitchen Bake School magazines as well as the author of three books, Squires Kitchen’s Guide to Working with Chocolate, Squires Kitchen’s Guide to Making Macaroons and ​Mastering Chocolate.

​In 2016 my team of three (myself, Helen Vass and Samantha Rain) took part and won the title of "Bake Off Crème de la Crème" an eight part series on BBC Two to find Britain's Best Team of Pastry Chefs.

I was approached to take part in Extreme Chocolate Makers for Channel 4 in 2019 and was featured in 4 episodes.

In January 2020, I joined the UK Chocolate Academy at Barry Callebaut in Banbury as Technical Advisor where I will be hosting classes and workshops.

---