A FORMER Okehampton College student who has been learning culinary skills working in a busy Tavistock hotel kitchens has recently scooped two top awards.
Nicola Crocker, 17, a member of the kitchen staff at Brown?s Hotel, Tavistock, won Student of the Year from Exeter College and the Master Chefs of Great Britain Advanced Training Diploma ? one of only seven awarded this year ? in the same week.
To collect her Master Chefs training diploma, Nicola travelled to Glasgow where she was presented with her award by celebrity chef Nick Nairn.
Nick, one of the regular guests on BBC Two series ?Ready Steady Cook? gave Nicola a signed copy of his latest recipe book. Nicola and her family also sat down for a seven-course meal prepared by the Master Chef.
Nicola, who comes from Lydford, was the youngest recipient as well as the only person from Devon to receive the accolade.
Nicola has been developing her gastronomic flair under the watchful eye of John McGeever, vice president of the Master Chefs of Great Britain, and head of the Brown?s kitchen team.
She has also been working with David Jenkins, recent finalist in Young Chef of the Year.
Nicola has been working in Brown?s kitchens since July last year, having previously worked at the Bedford Hotel, in Tavistock.
Nicola said she was really enjoying working at the hotel. ?It is going really well, I?m working quite a few evenings and I?m cooking some of the main courses on a Saturday night,? she added.
It was Nicola?s outstanding work in her year one Food Preparation and Cooking course which gained her the award of Student of the Year from Exeter College. She received an engraved piece of glassware plus gift vouchers.