The annual prize-giving for students of the School of Hospitality and Tourism at the University of West London brought success for apprentice chef Emma Harrison who scooped the Frederick Forsyth Award for the student who had managed to overcome the greatest difficulties in their studies.

Emma, who is in the 2^nd year of our apprenticeship programme, suffers from mild dyspraxia, but has not let this get in the way of her dreams of becoming a chef.  She is currently studying for her professional chef’s diploma and spends four days a week working in our kitchens and one day in the classroom.  Emma has worked in a number of our sites, learning different skills and gaining great confidence from spending time in professional kitchens.

Our chefs who work with her said that she certainly deserved this award, although it apparently came as a complete surprise to Emma who had not been expecting it.  Commenting on her plans for the future Emma said, “I would love to become a pastry chef and maybe one day open my own cafe, but right now I am very happy working for Harbour & Jones and hope to get a job here when I have finished my studies.”