While the candidates of the second edition have just submitted their applications, let’s rewind for a moment. One year ago, ten young pastry chefs from across the UK gathered at the Savoy in London to reinvent the iconic Peach Melba for the very first edition of the UK Young Talent Competition. Among them, two names to remember: Cynthia Shao and Sofia Bond.
We caught up with them to find out what the competition really changed for them.
Cynthia Shao: "Competition skills are not something you can learn from school"
Winner of the first edition, Cynthia entered the competition for one simple reason: her love of peach, her favourite fruit since childhood. What she took away goes far beyond the podium."The learning process is what I enjoyed most," she remembers. Performing in front of chefs she had long admired was, in her own words, "really stressful", and that is exactly the point. "Competition skills are not something you can learn from school. It's not even something you can learn from work."Today, Cynthia works at Onsu Bakery, the new address opened by chef Michael Kwan, where she keeps exploring new flavours. Her latest favourite? Sudachi. "A citrus can have such complex flavour, it's very inspiring," she says, also won over by our new concentrated citrus range.
Sofia Bond: from Westminster Kingsway to the Savoy
Sofia was still a student at Westminster Kingsway College when she stepped into the competition. Third place, and the jury's favourite. But the real prize came right after. "The executive head pastry chef of the Savoy called me and offered me a job. That was the best outcome."Sofia has since joined the pastry team of the legendary London hotel, where she now works on afternoon tea. "Without the competition, I wouldn't be at the Savoy," she says. "It brought me the job, stress management, the experience of plated desserts. And the connection with Les vergers Boiron is special to me: I've worked with the purees since college, and we use them at the Savoy too."Her biggest challenge during the competition? "Having the courage to go for it. Putting it on the table that you might not win." Her verdict, one year later: "It's honestly the best thing I have ever done. It completely changed my life."
Your turn now
Their advice to this year's candidates is unanimous: go for it, and enjoy every moment.The second edition is already under way, and the theme has been revealed: afternoon tea. A nod, perhaps, to Sofia's new daily life at the Savoy, and a beautiful playground for the next generation of pastry talents.
Who will write the next success story? Let's stay tuned!
