Bethan wins Rhyl Rotary Club’s annual Catering Award

Coleg Llandrillo student Bethan Edwards has won The Rotary Club of Rhyl’s annual Catering Award.

Bethan, 17, was presented with a trophy, plus a £150 prize donated by the Rotary Club, at the Talardy Hotel in St Asaph.

The club has sponsored an award for the most outstanding hospitality student from the Rhyl area for more than 25 years, with the winner nominated each year by lecturers at the college.

Bethan, who studies Level 2 Professional Cookery and Food Service at the Rhos-on-Sea campus, is among the youngest ever winners of the award, having been chosen last year while still on the Level 1 course.

Hospitality and Catering lecturer Mike Garner said Bethan was nominated because of her great promise as a chef, and her willingness to volunteer and help her course-mates.

Mike said: “Bethan’s an outstanding, dedicated and skilled student who has all the attributes to become a really excellent chef. We decided to nominate her for the award because of this, and because of her positive attitude and readiness to get stuck in.

“She is very conscientious in all her studies and her attendance last year was nearly 100%. She has volunteered to help out on large functions and is very keen to improve her skills and gain extra experience.

“Bethan’s tutors last year noted that as well as learning herself, she was also helping her peers around her. When she could see people were struggling with something, she would spend time showing them how to do it, giving them help and encouragement and being really supportive in the classroom.

“Bethan is a really pleasant, polite young person who shows a great deal of respect for her peers and tutors alike, with a 'can-do' attitude that will take her a long way.”

Bethan works in Sandbank Bakery in Rhyl and Towyn, and enjoys cooking at home, having baked cakes since the age of three. She hopes to gain experience working in hotels and restaurants locally, while her ultimate ambition is to be a chef on yachts and cruise ships.

After being presented with her award by Rhyl Rotary President John Dicks, Bethan said: “Thank you to Rhyl Rotary Club. I feel honoured and privileged to be chosen.”

Of her course at Coleg Llandrillo, she added: “I love learning to hone my skills at college. It’s a nice experience - you get to learn cool stuff and make nice food.

“The tutors have been very helpful and supportive. When we’re in the kitchen, if any of us has any suggestions they will take them on board, as well as giving us advice. It’s good to have the freedom to try your own ideas.”

Bethan attended the presentation with her mum Jodie. After receiving her award, she presented her mum with a giant Victoria sponge as a thank you for all her support.

Jodie said: “I am delighted that Bethan has won this award. She has been cooking at home and making cakes for as long as I can remember. I am a very proud Mum.”

Geraint Griffith, a senior Rotary Club member, added: “I have been involved in the catering award for many years and there is no doubt that Bethan, even at this early stage in her career, is a very worthy winner. We offer our congratulations and wish her every success in the future.”

Do you want to work in the hospitality industry? Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s Hospitality & Catering programme area offers full and part-time courses from Level 1 to Bachelors Honours Degrees, as well as apprenticeships, NVQs and customised employee training. Click here to learn more about our courses.