Candidates in a prestigious culinary competition have been at Coast, Saundersfoot.

In a bid to tackle the shortage of chefs in the industry, earlier this year, Le Cordon Bleu London launched their fifth UK scholarship award offering one lucky winner a place on the coveted diplôme de pâtisserie followed by a three month diploma in culinary management.

After touring the country and visiting prospective candidates in all the regions, the competition received a record number of applications from across the UK when the deadline passed.

All applications from Wales and the Midlands have been reviewed and the top six candidates were invited to the semi-finals at Coast where they were judged on their passion for pâtisserie by a panel made up of Le Cordon Bleu pâtisserie chefs and lecturers, alongside partnering Will Holland, head chef of Coast.

With a prize worth over £35,000, the award includes accommodation in central London courtesy of 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.

The final stage of the competition and winner announcement will take place on Thursday, June 2, at the prestigious culinary arts, wine and management school, Le Cordon Bleu London.

Last year’s winner, Katie Leslie from Edinburgh comments on how it feels to have won: “I always hoped to have a successful career as a chef but studying at Le Cordon Bleu has really motivated me to work hard to be successful.

“I was completely shocked when I heard my name being announced, I think it took a good few weeks before the reality of what an amazing opportunity I had just been given sunk in.”

The six semi-finalists from Wales and the Midlands were: Hannah Cannell, Joanne McCallin, Megan Roberts, Anna Bates, Francesca Vincent, Olivia Harris.