Winner of the Great British Bake Off, John Whaite graduated from our school with a Diplôme de Pâtisserie. In his video, he tells us about some of his achievements since leaving the London school - transcript below.
Why did you choose to come to Le Cordon Bleu London after winning The Great British Bake Off 2012? "I decided to study culinary arts just after The Great British Bake Off. And I chose Le Cordon Bleu because it's a traditional, classic institution that's been around for over 120 years, so I figured they're going to know a thing or two about food, and it was the place for me."
How was your experience studying Diplôme de Pâtisserie at Le Cordon Bleu London? "You come into a really warm kitchen classroom, sit there with people who are as enthusiastic as you about food - the passion is completely shared. And it's just a great feeling, it's a lovely, cosy feeling."
How has Le Cordon Bleu helped you progress your career? "Le Cordon Bleu has shaped my career in the sense that it's given me the foundations and the techniques that anyone who wants to be a food writer or a TV chef, or even just a restaurateur needs. You can't work in food in a professional way, you can't deliver recipes to people, you can't really know what you're talking about unless you know why processes happen. But I couldn't have that knowledge to write those recipes and deliver that information to them without the information I learned here at Le Cordon Bleu."
What have you been up to since Le Cordon Bleu? "Since leaving Le Cordon Bleu, I've, well, I'm about to start my own cookery school, not quite as big as this one, just a domestic cookery school for about 10 or 12 students. I've also got a new TV show on ITV and I'm writing my third book as we speak, so, so much has happened since leaving Le Cordon Bleu and every time I do something in food I always reflect on my time here because it gave me the grounding and the foundations I needed to be a food personality."
What advice would you give to anyone looking to follow in your footsteps? "To people who are keen to follow in my footsteps and do what I did, I would definitely say consider it well, as it is a big step, you know, if you are passionate enough to do it, then you should do it. You have to do it.
It's difficult, it's disciplined, but it's a hell of a lot of fun, so enjoy it."
