WINNING a competition is one of the most satisfying accomplishments in life, what more such a highly regarded and renowned one, such as the World Pastry Cup. It all boils down to hard work, diligence, passion and perseverance.
And the most important thing one has to remember is to never ever give up on a dream.
The Malaysia National Pastry Team’s victory has definitely inspired Sunway University to introduce and launch a new scholarship, the Sunway University Young Chef Scholarship.
This scholarship, which aims to groom future talents in culinary arts, covers the full tuition fee for the Diploma in Culinary Arts programme under Sunway University’s School of Hospitality.
In announcing the scholarship details, Sunway Education Group and Sunway University senior executive director Dr Elizabeth Lee said qualified candidates who meet entry requirements and who are vying for the scholarship valued at RM150,000 will need to submit an essay on why they are the perfect candidate for the scholarship.
If they are shortlisted, they will be required to attend a cook-off to show off their skills in front of seven judges from the university’s Malaysia National Pastry Team.
The successful scholar recipients, upon completion of the diploma, can further pursue the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Culinary Management.
“Needless to say, with a combination of imagination, proper training, a dash of talent, the ability to withstand a hot stove or a cold kitchen for hours, and a passion for food; we can nurture exceptional talents who will be held in high esteem by their peers, the dining public, the community, and their country.
“With the scholarship, Sunway University hopes to provide more opportunities for budding chefs to be groomed and equipped with the necessary skills, tools and a solid foundation to move forward in their career of choice,” said Lee, at the launch of the scholarship during the homecoming celebration to commemorate the win by the Malaysia National Pastry Team.
Present was Sunway University vice-chancellor Professor Graeme Wilkinson.
The Malaysia National Pastry Team won first prize at the recent Coupe du Monde de la Patisserie (World Pastry Cup) in Lyon, France.
The Malaysia National Pastry team 2019, comprising Sunway University’s School of Hospitality head chef Patrick Siau, Academy of Pastry Arts Malaysia corporate pastry chef Tan Wei Loon, Dobla Asia-Pacific corporate pastry chef Otto Tay and Academy Pastry Arts Malaysia executive pastry chef Loi Ming Ai, beat 20 other teams and was crowned world champion, a first for the country.
The team also received the Vase de Sevres prize, a prize donated by the President of the French Republic which is awarded to the country that scored the most points for the tasting.
At the celebration, the team shared their experience and extraordinary journey to victory. Guests were treated to the extravagant desserts which had captured the hearts and taste buds of some of the most discerning judges in the world.