Meet Charlotte Ward who joined The Grand in April this year. Originally from Seaford, Charlotte came into hospitality after a change of career path.
She mentions, ‘I was at college studying Electrical Engineering, training to be an Electrician. Shortly after lockdown, I worked in a Golf Club as a kitchen porter and it was there that the Head Chef involved me in making and preparing dishes, which ignited my passion for cooking.’
Charlotte left the Golf Club and eventually through a contact applied for a role here as an Apprentice Commis Chef, she was successful and is now doing the Commis Chef Level 2 apprenticeship.
Charlotte’s greatest achievement is being able to make dishes from scratch and create beautiful looking dishes, a favourite dish she enjoys is the ‘Opera Gateaux’, a coffee gateau with intricate detail and several layers, which requires good palette and chocolate-making skills. Since working at The Grand, she mentions that her confidence has grown.
When asked what she enjoys most about the role, her response was, ‘I never stop learning. The staff are lovely, approachable and I can always ask for help or advice. I am allowed to make mistakes and I’m learning from my colleagues’ new ideas and methods. Pastry is my passion. One day I hope to open my very own tea garden shop, this is my dream!’