Professional cookery talent emerges in West Didsbury

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A student chef at The Manchester College has won the Manchester Hoteliers Association Emerging Talent Award 2011. Laura Daniels received her award at the Palace Hotel, in front of 600 members of the city's hospitality industry. Laura has been offered a job at the Chester Grosvenor Hotel restaurant, which has a Michelin star.

Laura is studying VRQ Level 2 Professional Cookery and was nominated for the award by her tutors at the college. Tutor, Mark Amesbury, wrote a review of Laura’s progress and submitted it as part of her nomination for the award.

Laura said: ‘I came straight from secondary school at the age of 16, curious about how to cook and to see if it would take my fancy. It certainly did! Next year, I’m hoping to move to London to work in a Michelin starred restaurant. I hope to really push myself and have an adventure.’

Laura hopes to work for six weeks at Alinea restaurant in Chicago

Mark Amesbury said: ‘Laura’s attitude is first class. Her attention to detail, palette and enthusiasm are exceptional. She has represented the college in local and national competitions, gaining gold medals for her work.

‘Laura aspires to work at the top of our industry. She hopes to work for six weeks at Alinea restaurant in Chicago and has spent two weeks working for Brett Graham at the Ledbury restaurant in London. Brett offered her a position on the strength of her performance. More recently, Laura has secured herself a position at the Chester Grosvenor Hotel with Simon Radley.

Laura studies at the college’s Fielden Campus in West Didsbury, practising in the gourmet Restaurant 141 training restaurant. Restaurant 141 is open to the public, offering high quality food and service at a fraction of the usual cost.

What next? Are you the next top chef? Find out about courses in professional cookery at The Manchester College.