We were delighted that our President Jacqui was able to attend our sponsee, Alex Beighton’s, graduation at the School of Artisan Food and we loved seeing the photos of Alex looking so proud on the day, along with her very happy parents.
Alex graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Artisan Baking – she worked so hard for six months and made some amazing bakes, we were drooling over her photographs throughout her time at the school in Nottinghamshire.
Sponsoring Alex to take time away from her award winning cheese toastie business, Gouda for the Soul, to take this course is exactly what our commitment to philanthropy is all about and makes the fruits of our fund-raising efforts tangible – it’s wonderful to see how we have helped a inspiring young woman work towards her goal in our industry.
The Advanced Diploma is taught by some of the industry’s most renowned producers and experts – it’s accredited by FDQ and is equivalent to Foundation Degree Level – so it’s pretty intensive for the students.
As well as learning the ins and outs of baking to a very high level, from artisan bakery to patisserie and viennoiserie, Alex also had classes to help her prepare for setting up her own artisan bakery. She’s already on the way to this and we can’t wait to hear as her plans develop.
Alex said: “The graduation was an amazing day. It was a big pinch me moment because I couldn’t believe I was really about to graduate from the School of Artisan Food. I have always wanted to be a baker and own my own shop even since I was a little kid and the diploma course was the perfect opportunity to kick start my career. It was a privilege to be given the opportunity to learn such high quality skills which will help me make excellent products in the future as myself and my cousin are in the process of opening our own bakery! I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this if it wasn’t for the sponsorship from everyone at LDE London. I will always be so grateful for your support and I look forward to being a Dame myself one day”.
Jacqui said: “I was delighted to attend the graduation on the beautiful Welbeck Estate and to see Alex and her contemporaries proudly collect their hard earned certificates. I was quite moved to feel that pride of students, parents and teachers alike and so satisfying to see how LDE London’s sponsorship had truly made a difference to the life of this very impressive young woman at the start of her culinary career.”
We are so thrilled for Alex and really looking forward to hearing all about what comes next for her.
Find out more about Alex, Gouda for the Soul and her new venture Soul Bakehouse, follow her Instagram @alexxbeighton or on Facebook.