Aspiring chef from Leytonstone secures spot in final for prestigious culinary scholarship

Lois Farmer has secured a spot in the line-up of final candidates for the 2018 Julia Child Scholarship by Le Cordon Bleu.

Aimed at those seeking to change career and pursue their true passion of working in the culinary industry, the scholarship is worth well in excess of £45,000.

Ms Farmer, who is preparing to meet her fellow finalists next week, said: “I am extremely passionate about cooking and food so making it through to the finals of the Le Cordon Bleu Julia Child Scholarship is really exciting.

“It would be a dream come true to study at Le Cordon Bleu and just being able to spend the day there next week to meet the chefs and other finalists will be a really great experience whatever the outcome.”

Launched in collaboration with renowned chef, Monica Galetti, the programme offers the lucky winner a place on the coveted Le Cordon Bleu Grand Diplôme.

They will also be given an internship at Mere Restaurant in Fitzrovia under the guidance of Galetti, as well as accommodation provided by luxury agency, Londonist.

The winner will benefit from one-to-one mentorship sessions with some esteemed alumni including MasterChef The Professionals Quarter Finalist, Luciana Berry, and executive chef at Renaissance St Pancras, Adam Ashe, among others.

Culinary Arts Director at Le Cordon Bleu London, chef Emil Minev, was one of the judges who had the difficult task of judging the semi-final.

She said: “Every year, selecting finalists for the scholarship award is a tough task, and this year was no exception as the entry numbers had soared almost 150 per cent since we first launched the campaign eight years ago.

“We are very pleased with the selection of candidates who will go on to the final stage in just a few weeks.

“We wish them all the very best in the next heat and look forward to a spectacular awards ceremony thereafter.”

The final will take place on Wednesday (June 6) 2018, at Le Cordon Bleu in Bloomsbury, London.