1st July 2010
Winner - Sarah Hartnett The Park Lane Hotel
Sarah Hartnett has a 12 year pedigree in pastry. For the last five years she has been head pastry chef at the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel, and before that spent seven years at Claridge's with two of the finest pastry specialists, Claire Clarke and Julie Sharp.
She has ensured the Park Lane hotel has re-entered the prestigious British Tea Council's list of top 10 venues for afternoon tea after a year's absence, which has seen the business grow by 35% in 2009. Previously she has also received high acclaim for her desserts at both the Craft Guild of Chefs Awards and the Master Chefs of Great Britain dinner.
Those who have worked with her say her enthusiasm is infectious and her passion is shown in the flavours, textures and techniques she demonstrates. She has also proven her worth in the judging arena at key events such as the Combined Services Challenge as well as pastry exams at colleges. Described as "a great teacher and motivator", her wealth of experience has enabled her to mentor her team to the highest level as shown in one second commis chef, who had never entered in a competition before, achieving the Academy of Culinary Arts Award of Excellence in 2009.
Selfless in her charity work, she is on the Chef for Heroes fund raising committee and has supported a number of charitable events including the Great Ormond Street Hospitality Teenage Cancer Trust and Adopt a School programme.
She has ensured the Park Lane hotel has re-entered the prestigious British Tea Council's list of top 10 venues for afternoon tea after a year's absence, which has seen the business grow by 35% in 2009. Previously she has also received high acclaim for her desserts at both the Craft Guild of Chefs Awards and the Master Chefs of Great Britain dinner.
Those who have worked with her say her enthusiasm is infectious and her passion is shown in the flavours, textures and techniques she demonstrates. She has also proven her worth in the judging arena at key events such as the Combined Services Challenge as well as pastry exams at colleges. Described as "a great teacher and motivator", her wealth of experience has enabled her to mentor her team to the highest level as shown in one second commis chef, who had never entered in a competition before, achieving the Academy of Culinary Arts Award of Excellence in 2009.
Selfless in her charity work, she is on the Chef for Heroes fund raising committee and has supported a number of charitable events including the Great Ormond Street Hospitality Teenage Cancer Trust and Adopt a School programme.