Will (left) is pictured with Celebrity Chef Heston Blumenthal.

Talented Pastry Chef Will Torrent, who works for Bachmann's Patisserie in Thames Ditton, was awarded 'Young Chef of the Year' by the Craft Guild of Chef's. The glittering award ceremony, held at the Hilton Hotel on London's Park Lane on the 1 June, saw 13 chefs receive an award, including Celebrity Chef Heston Blumenthal.

Speaking at the event Will Torrent commented: "It's fantastic to be recognised by chefs and for a pastry chef to win young chef of the year makes it even more sweet and I still can't believe it. The evening was made even more special with Heston winning the special achievement award, as my first week in a kitchen was with him at The Fat Duck when I was 15!".

Will Torrent is no stranger to success, in 2007 he competed in the International WorldSkills Competition in Shizuoka, Japan where he was awarded a medallion of excellence. The WorldSkills Competition is the biggest skills competition in the world and is held every two years in one of its member countries. Its sets world class standards in over 40 skill categories ranging from cabinet making to web design. Over four days of tough competition, young people drawn now from 51 member nations test themselves against tough international standards. The ultimate prizes are gold, silver and bronze medals.

Simon Bartley, CEO of UK Skills commented; “Following his participation in the WorldSkills Competition it has been a great pleasure to track Will’s career, which is going from strength to strength. Will’s story is proof not only of the fantastic opportunities that exist for those wishing to purse a vocational career, but also of the benefits of taking part in skills competitions which allow those who take part to develop and benchmark their skills.  I hope others will read his story and be inspired”.

Bachmanns Head Pastry Chef, Gregory Crouch Cadoni said “I am delighted for Will, this is a real accolade for a Pastry Chef, and I view this as a compliment to the entire brigade here.” MD, Chris Bachmann added: “Will has really settled in well here and has continued to improve since he arrived. He has become another valued member of my staff, and if his progress continues he has the potential to become an inspiration for the next generation of young pastry chefs.”

UK Skills, a not for profit organisation, manages the UK team entry to the WorldSkills Competitions.

The next WorldSkills Competition takes place in Calgary, Canada in September this year. The UK will host the WorldSkills Competition in London in 2011. For more information visit www.worldskillslondon2011.com

The Young Chef of the Year award was sponsored by Blue Arrow Catering.