Will Holland: Hosting an event at Coast

WILL HOLLAND, the head chef at Saundersfoot’s popular Coast restaurant, is part of an elite group of chefs that have partnered up with Le Cordon Bleu Scholarship to find a youngster that can go on to help fill the shortage of skilled chefs in the UK.

The world’s most prestigious culinary arts, wine and management school, Le Cordon Bleu London announced the launch of its 2016 Scholarship Award this week, and there will be an event at Coast in Saundersfoot with Will Holland and Master Chefs from Le Cordon Bleu.

This year’s winner will be awarded a place on the coveted Diplôme de Pâtisserie followed by a three month Diploma in Culinary Management, which in total will provide a student with a 12 month classical training alongside advanced culinary techniques and management studies.

With over 120 year’s heritage, Le Cordon Bleu has built a worldwide reputation in the Hospitality and Gastronomy industry, and as part of the 2016 scholarship Le Cordon Bleu has teamed up with star chef Will Holland to find the next culinary talent in Wales.

Le Cordon Bleu hope to tackle the shortage of chefs which threatens to change the restaurant landscape by finding and nurturing the best emerging culinary talent in the UK, helping them to gain traditional skills and develop a strong knowledge of the latest trends and culinary developments to support an adapting industry.

The Scholarship Award, which is now in its fifth year, includes accommodation in central London courtesy of our partner Urbanest and an internship with Clare Smyth MBE, at Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant, Hospital Road, Chelsea where Clare has been Head Chef for the past six years and became the first British female chef to hold and retain 3 Michelin Stars.

Will Holland, Coast said: “It’s exciting and a pleasure to be involved in this year’s Le Cordon Bleu Scholarship and to help scour the country to find the next aspiring chef with that something special. Our industry is amazing and Le Cordon Bleu Scholarship prize is the perfect runway into a career in it for the lucky winner.”

Head Patisserie Chef at Le Cordon Bleu London, Julie Walsh commented: “The Scholarship offers a life changing opportunity for someone who has a passion for patisserie. There has never been a more relevant time than now, when the hospitality industry is experiencing a drastic shortage of young chefs with relevant training in traditional techniques. There really is no better way for them to take the first step on the ladder when it comes to finding their dream job.”

Partners Urbanest also said: “We are looking forward to continuing the support of this prestigious scholarship with Le Cordon Bleu. We also look forward to welcoming the winner to Urbanest and provide a great living experience that will help them make London their home for the duration of their course.”

Applicants are invited to apply by:

• Uploading a short video clip introducing the panel to their county at: ukscholarship. cordonbleu.edu
• Completing the online application form • Posting a picture of their favourite British cake on Instagram tagged LeCordonBleuLondon with the #allIneedispassion
• Attend the regional tour with Will Holland and Master Chefs from Le Cordon Bleu at Coast, Saundersfoot on Friday 19th February. Attendees should register their attendance by [email protected] as spaces are limited.

Applications will close at midnight on the 3rd April, and successful applicants will subsequently be invited for the semi-finals in their region:

The last stage of the competition will take place at Le Cordon Bleu London, where a panel of Le Cordon Bleu’s world-renowned Master Chefs and lecturers will choose the winner in June.