UK chef student wins at WorldSkills Leipzig

A British chef student has won a Medallion of Excellence at the WorldSkills Leipzig 2013 competition as part of the overall success of Team UK.

Stephen Smith, a student specialising in confectionery and pastry at Westminster Kingsway College, was awarded the Medallion of Excellence after four days of competition, through which he demonstrated that his skills had reached the desired world class standard.

Gary Hunter, Head of Culinary Arts and Hospitality at Westminster Kingsway College said: "We are very proud of Stephen's achievements. We aim to inspire all of our student chefs and apprentices to achieve the highest professional standards and Stephen reflects this today."

The annual WorldSkills event, which recognises the key vocational workplace skills of apprentices and young employees, and also presents a number of lectures and debates on the topic of professional education, took place this year in Leipzig, Germany, from 2-7 July. Over 50 countries from across the globe were represented.

The UK contingent of 31 included apprentices, and young people either in employment or training, from across Britain. In total, Team UK was awarded two Gold, one Silver and three Bronze medals, along with 17 Medallions for Excellence for skills including bricklaying and aircraft maintenance.

The competition recognises a host of different skills, including such varied activities as web design, electronics, welding, hairdressing, and floristry.
Closer to home, many of the UK students recognised at Leipzig will also appear at The Skills Show, the "finals" of the UK-wide WorldSkills UK National Competitions, taking place at the NEC Birmingham this November.