Will supports the New Era for Apprenticeships
In his role as WorldSkills UK Ambassador, Will was on hand on Wednesday 8th February 2012 to help launch a new era for Apprenticeships at The House of Commons, along side Skills Minister John Hayes MP and the National Apprenticeship Service. Will also hosted his infamous 'Marzipan Have a Go' demonstration alongside fellow Chocolatier and former WorldSkills 2009 competitor Alistair Birt where guests at the reception had a go at making marzipan animals, one of the tasks at WorldSkills.
On the new era, Will said: "It’s about reaching out to more and more people, and saying you know what, being in a skill, being in a vocation can be cool, it can be sexy, it's trendy and it can lead to a lot of amazing things."
John Hayes MP also launched a brand new exciting Skills Show for the UK which will be an annual celebration of skills in the UK and will also see the final team selection for the WorldSkills UK Team. Packed full of skills competitions and with top employers, specialist careers, training and Apprenticeship advice, Have a Go activities and some of the biggest names in skills and education all under one roof, The Skills Show is an unrivalled skills experience to inspire the fashion designers, web developers, engineers and builders of tomorrow.
The Skills Show also celebrates the achievements of some of the UK's most talented Apprentices and other highly skilled young people contributing to a new era for skills in the UK. The event will be held on 15-17 November 2012 at the NEC Birmingham.
Will Aboard HMS Brocklesby
The Royal Navy have posted an article about Will's visit aboard the HMS Brocklesby. Organised as part of World Skills week at London Excel Will learned what it's like serving three square meals a day to a fighting force on the front line of a high profile conflict. To read the article CLICK HERE.
Will Torrent Chocolate Masterclass
On March 23rd at 3pm GMT, in conjunction with Barry Callebaut, Restaurant Magazine and Big Hospitality, Will is taking part in a Chocolate Masterclass, streamed live on the internet from the Barry Callebaut headquarters, hosted by Alan Murchison, michelin starred chef. This is an unmissable event for all professionals with a passion and interest in pastry and chocolate! This masterclass will provide a fascinating insight into the world of chocolate as Will demonstrates exciting and innovative desserts. There will also be the opportunity for you to interact with the live demonstration and ask Will questions on what you are watching! All those who register will also be entered into a draw to attend the event in person!!
To register for the event CLICK HERE.
Will On BBC Radio Berkshire
On Friday 23rd December Will appears along side Musical Director Laurie Holloway and a host of other stars including Kenny Lynch, Barry Mason and Rolf Harris in Anne Diamond's Live Carol show from Laurie's studio. Listen in from 12 till 1 in the afternoon for some festive cheer, carols and classic Christmas songs including Will's version of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town". Listen HERE.
Will Writes For Waitrose Weekend
Will has written an article for Waitrose Weekend, available in all Waitrose stores nationwide. He has written about his number one passion; chocolate and the benefits of eating good quality chocolate and how to taste chocolate properly. You can download the article HERE.
Will Interviewed on Premier Radio
Will was on the "Men @ Work" show on Premier Radio this weekend. Interviewed by presenter Nick Battle, Will talked about his life, loves and of course cooking. You can listen to the show HERE.
Will Helps Promote British Pub Week
Licensees will be able to vote for their favourite British 'pub grub' as part of British Pub Week, which kicks off 28th October.
Three celebrity chefs have contributed recipes to a leaflet entitled 'Celebrity Pub Grub', and publicans are urged to vote for their favourite of the three meals to stand a chance of winning a signed recipe book.
Will Torrent, Peter Bayless and Tom Bridge are all fully behind British Pub Week, which celebrates all that is good about the Great British Pub, and licensees still have time to plan events in line with the week-long celebration.
Torrent said: "Where else does a cross section of society discuss the issues of the day, the commute to work, that awful tackle which led to the penalty, moan about the government and drink some of the best beer in the world? The Great British Pub."
"Now is the time for the Great British Public to get behind our locals to make sure they don't make an early appearance in the history books! It's really important that the public get behind our locals and support them as they support us and or communities!"
You can download the Celebrity Pub Grub leaflet HERE.
Nudo Italia Twitter Takeover for National Baking Week
To celebrate National Baking Week, Nudo offered the chance to get all your baking questions and conundrums answered by an expert - award winning Pâtissier and Chocolatier - Will Torrent.
The @NudoItaliaUK Twitter account played host to a Q&A session with Will which focused on all things baking; providing hints and tips to those who submitted questions ahead of or during the event.
To mark the event Will also created a couple of recipes using Nudo Olive Oils; "Mandarin and Basil Chocolate Cupcakes" and "Roasted Apricot and Butternut Squash Cake". You can download these recipes HERE.
Chocolate Unwrapped 2011
Will took part in Chocolate Unwrapped at Vinopolis in London. The highlight of Chocolate Week, at Chocolate Unwrapped visitors could immerse themselves in a decadent celebration of chocolate; marvel at chocolate sculptures, watch chocolate cooking demonstrations and taste a variety of exciting new flavours, new chocolate, unexpected pairings and classic favourites from the world’s top chocolatiers.
Will's demonstration was entitled "Ordinary Cakes with Extraordinary Flavours" and presented recipes for a "Dark Chocolate and Golden Ale Cake", a "Hot And Healthy Chocolate Cake" and "Tabasco Red Pepper Chocolate Truffles". If you would like to download the recipes you can get a pdf HERE.
WorldSkills London 2011
Will travelled to London as UK Ambassador to WorldSkills London 2011 along side the victorious Team UK and a host of talented WorldSkills UK Alumni. Will's role as an Ambassador included cooking on board HMS Brocklesby, a minesweeper ship from the Royal Navy that had just returned from service in Libya, cooking live on stage with Brian Turner and Alistair Birt in "Ready Steady Confectionery" and co-presenting the WorldSkills UK Awards as well as leading VIP tours that included HRH Princess Anne and Boris Johnson, Mayor of London. Will also made an appearance on ITV1's Daybreak talking about the week.
As a WorldSkills UK Champion, Will is responsible for encouraging organisations to get involved in WorldSkills UK competitions, raising the level of skills and the aspirations of young people and increasing the number of participants in these skills competitions. Will won the first Medallion of Excellence for any British Pastry Chef at the 2007 competition in Japan.
Team UK won a total of 13 Medals including 5 Gold, 2 Silver, 6 Bronze and 13 Medallions of Excellence placing the UK fifth in the world overall.
GDI International Retail Summit
Will appeared at the GDI International Retail Summit in Zurich, Switzerland last week on behalf of Waitrose along side Head of Brand Development and Innovation; Sam Dickson. Will spoke about the new chocolate developments he has just completed at Waitrose that will sit in the "Seriously" brand. Over 200 Swiss retail giants also enjoyed some of Will's signature chocolates. One Tweet from the audience hailed Will as "Switzerland's new Chocolate Hero!"
Will In Deserts Magazine
Will Torrent is featured in the new issue of Desserts Magazine as part of the 'British Invasion' (Issue #21). In a section labeled 'Desserts Fit for a King' Will presents his 'Millionaire Shortbread', 'Catherine Peach and William's Pear Trifle' and his take on an Eton Mess. You can view the latest issue HERE.
Will In Hello Magazine
Will Torrent is featured in this weeks Hello Magazine (Issue number 1177, dated 6th June). As part of the Cookery Masterclass, Will presents his take on a classic, the Black Forest Gateaux.
Will Torrent On BBC Radio
Will Torrent will be a guest on "Nick Coffer's Weekend Kitchen" this weekend (14th May). He will be interviewed plus presenting and cooking his version of a classic 3 course British menu.
Will Torrent Acts As Consultant To Waitrose
Will has now been asked to act as a consultant to Waitrose, suggesting and refining recipe's for their pre-prepared dishes. One of the recent tasks was working as part of the creative team behind Heston Blumenthal's Royal Wedding Trifle.
Will Torrent Scoops the 2010 Acorn Scholarship
The 2010 Acorn Scholarship has been awarded to Will Torrent, a pastry chef at Bachmann’s Patisserie & Chocolate Creations, Thames Ditton.
Will and 11 other finalists were chosen to present to a panel of prestigious judges where each candidate was carefully deliberated. Will was awarded the Scholarship for his passion and ambition to open his own patisserie, teaching business and champagne and dessert bar. The Acorn Scholarship will give Will the opportunity to work alongside greats such as Michael Caines and use the business prowess of James Horler to develop his skills over the next 12 months.
Presenting Will with his award, Michael Caines, MBE, commented: “Will’s ambition and passion really stood out. He gave an excellent presentation and was able to identify exactly where he wants to be in five years time and how the Scholarship can help. At just 23, Will has already had a huge amount of success thanks to his determination and go-get attitude. We have no doubt that he is a worthy winner of the Acorn Scholarship and look forward to helping him achieve great things.”
Having a grandfather who trained and worked as a chef and a great-uncle who owned a patisserie in Paris, it came as no surprise that Will wanted to pursue a successful career in hospitality. He has won several awards, including the Craft Guild of Chefs Young Chef of the Year Award 2009 and competed in the International WorldSkills Competition in Japan, mentored by Yolande Stanley MCA, where he was awarded a conveted medallion of excellence – the first for any British pastry chef.
Will comments: “Winning the Acorn Scholarship is such an honour. I have seen what last year’s winner, Simone Sylvestre, has achieved since winning and it’s incredible to think that I will have the same opportunity. I can’t wait to meet with my mentors and plan the year ahead, it’s like a dream come true.”
The standard of entry was so high this year that Joel Fagg, food and beverage manager, Barcelo Hotels and Resorts, was also highly commended for his enthusiasm and well thought-out presentation. Acorn Scholarship judge, Christian Armstrong, head of human resources, Thistle Hotel Group, will be mentoring Joel in the coming months.
Claire Sullivan, marketing director, Unilever Foodsolutions, concludes: This was the first year that I have judged the Acorn Scholarship and I was amazed at the high standard of entries and the passion of these youngsters. Many are in their early 20’s and it filled me with pride and confidence to know that these young professionals are aspiring for such great things in the hospitality industry. I’m sure we’ll be seeing a few of them in the near future.”
Will wins Young Chef of the Year at the Craft Guild of Chefs Awards 2009!
An exceptional young chef from Bachmanns in Thames Ditton has won a coveted industry 'Oscar' from the most respected association dedicated to culinary excellence in the UK.
Will Torrent, 23, from Iver in Buckinghamshire is a pastry chef at Bachmanns Patisserie walked away with The Young Chef of the Year Award at the glittering Craft Guild of Chefs Awards at London Hilton, Park Lane on Monday 1st June which saw more than 600 people from across the industry and beyond, including the Craft Guild of Chefs' royal patron, HRH The Countess of Wessex, flocked to see 13 finalists pick up a 'Chef's Oscar', as they are known in the industry, plus a special award for Heston Blumenthal.
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."
Nick Vadis, chairman of the Craft Guild of Chefs - the most respected association dedicated to culinary excellence in the UK - said: The awards go from strength to strength. "We had a phenomenal number of entries this year, which really goes to highlight the passion and skills in all sectors of our industry.
"Judging this year was particularly hard and the decisions were well debated by our stellar judging panels. I would like to thank all our nominees and winners for their significant contribution to the industry and a big well done to all our 2009 champions."
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 beating off the likes of France, Germany and Switzerland. 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 WorldSkills 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".
Now in their 16th year, the Awards cover all aspects of the chef profession, from education to pubs and cost sector to banqueting, and nominees do not have to be a member of the Guild.
Will wins Silver at Salon Culinaire 2009!
Following his success at the same competition two years ago and now working at Bachmann's full-time, and WorldSkills under his belt, Will was delighted to win a silver medal for his chocolate petit fours at the competition held at Birmingham's NEC arena.
Will's fine selection consisted on six chocolates created by him at Bachmann's. Including Cassis, Earl Grey and Orange, Apricot Crumble bar, Cardamom and pistachio, Mango and Passionfruit and Champagne, the judges including Keith Hurdman of Thorntons, were impressed and awarded a silver medal in a class where no golds were awarded.
Keith Hurdman commented; "a well thought out range of chocolates and colourful, as well as showing lots of skills and well presented".
