A future pastry chef who studies at Forth Valley College has risen to the top of the recruitment list of one of the world’s most exclusive hotel chains.
Emma Hair (19) from Bannockburn – who is studying for an HNC Professional Cookery at the college’s Stirling Campus - has just secured a six month internship with the Jumeriah Group in Dubai, which will start in July this year.
With more than 500 kitchen staff – around 68 of them pastry chefs – and at least 60 restaurants in Jumeriah group in Dubai alone, the former Bannockburn High School pupil will definitely be having her cake and eating it during the half year experience, which could lead to a full-time job in the future.
Emma, said:
“It is amazing. I never thought I would ever get the chance to do something like this. I never had much luck at school with exams, but I have absolutely loved it here at Forth Valley College and couldn’t have asked for anything better than here.
“I was encouraged to apply for the internship through the college and had to undergo two interviews over the phone, before I got confirmation that I had been successful.
“I will be based in the pastry department at the Jumeriah Group and within that I will be in the cake section working with chocolate and praline and ingredients like these. I can’t wait.
“I would really recommend Forth Valley College for hospitality qualifications as you get opportunities here that you just wouldn’t get anywhere else. I would advise any new students to work hard and just enjoy it. It was better than I ever imagined.”
FVC’s Hospitality Operations Manager Aiveen Cassidy, said:
“Emma has done extremely well with her studies here at the Stirling Campus and we are all extremely proud of her. These internships are very highly sought after and to secure one means you have done very well as the standard they are looking for is very high. We are confident that she will go out to Dubai and do very well there and throughout her career. We wish her all the best for the future and will be keeping an eye on her progress.”
Emma was also part of the 12 strong Forth Valley College Hospitality team led by Chef Lecturer Martin Luti, who helped A’Challtainn Fish Restaurant & Bar at Barras Art and Design (BAad) host Masterchef Professional 2016 winner Gary Maclean and serve up an exciting menu and Q&A and skills showcase on the evening of Thursday 20 April.
Garry Gill Head Chef at the exciting new A’Challtainn Fish Restaurant & Bar at Barras Art and Design (BAad) – winner of the List’s Best Newcomer of the Year award – met with Diane Creed, Head of FVC’s Department of Hospitality and Salon Services, was given a tour of the campus by Chef Lecturer Martin Luti and took time to give advice and receive feedback from HNC Professional Cookery student Emma Hair.
Garry, said:
“Emma was one student who stood out 100% at Gary Maclean’s showcase at our restaurant last week and we were very keen to come up to see her here at the Stirling Campus to see what she thought about the experience.”
Emma, said:
“Taking part in the event at A’Challtainn was really great. We were under a lot of pressure, but what an experience it was and I really enjoyed it.”