WorldSkills UK star launches debut book!

By WorldSkills UK

Pastry chef Will Torrent, who competed at WorldSkills Shizuoka 2007 winning the first Medallion for Excellence in his skill for the UK, has launched his debut recipe book ‘Pâtisserie at Home’ .

The book aims to “take the fear factor out of French patisserie”. Complete with a foreword by Heston Blumenthal it includes step-by-step photography, a no-nonsense approach to the key pastry techniques and more than 60 beautifully illustrated recipes including chapters on Basic Techniques, Pâtisserie, Tarts, Petits Fours, Gâteaux & Desserts, and Viennoiserie.

Recipes from ‘Pâtisserie at Home’ have so far been featured in The Times and Homes and Gardens magazine, and the book has received positive reviews from Eater and The Bookbag .

A launch event for Will’s book took place at the University of West London on Thursday 18 April 2013. At the event dessert canapés, prepared by Will and students at the University (using the recipes from 'Patisserie at Home') were served. Leading figures in the world of culinary arts, press and members of the local university community were in attendance.

The launch of ‘Pâtisserie at Home’ in 2013 follows an exciting and busy year for Will in 2012. As well as working as a pâtisserie consultant for Waitrose, Will appeared on Channel 4's Jamie & Jimmy's Food Fight Club and collaborated with Waitrose, Heston Blumenthal and Royal Chef Mark Flanagan to create the Diamond Jubilee Picnic Hampers.

Will was also crowned the winner of the WorldSkills UK Alumni Award for Outstanding Achievement in 2012, appointed as a member of the WorldSkills UK Alumni Advisory Board and in now part of the training team for Team UK pastry chef Competitor Stephen Smith who will compete at WorldSkills Leipzig 2013.

Will Torrent said: “French pastry is so often thought of as impossible to achieve at home, and something that only professional pastry chefs with years of training can perfect. Even some of the simpler French desserts have the fear factor for many people out there. But with the growing popularity of baking over recent years, it’s time to step into a pastry chef’s shoes, attempt some of the classics and surprise yourself.

I hope that with my step-by-step guidelines and modern flavour combinations and finishes, you will have the confidence to attempt some of my French pâtisserie, made easy! Keep it familiar but make it new!”

Jaine Bolton, Director, National Apprenticeship Service and UK Official Delegate to WorldSkills, said:

“It is fantastic to see Will doing so well for himself. I bought my copy of ‘Pâtisserie at Home’ as soon as it went on sale and I am seriously impressed; it really is a great book.

On behalf of everyone at WorldSkills UK I congratulate Will on his success – I am sure there will be many more to come. Will is a great ambassador for us; I would like to thank him for his tremendous work in promoting the value of further education, Apprenticeships and WorldSkills UK skills competitions to individuals and to businesses in everything he does.”

‘Pâtisserie at Home’ is available to buy now on Amazon .