Award is icing on cake for UCB graduate

A University College Birmingham graduate - who is a prot�g� of royal wedding cake maker Fiona Cairns - has earned a top accolade at the baking industry 's answer to the Oscars.

Katie Garrett (pictured), who graduated with a first class Bakery and Patisserie Technology BSc (Hons) degree last July, won the British Baker Rising Star Award at the virtual Baking Industry Awards.

Judges heaped praise on the 22-year-old for her “enthusiasm and drive ” and said they were excited to see what she did next.

Awards host TV and radio star Alexander Armstrong described to viewers how Katie could often be found perfecting recipes long into the night at the craft bakery where she worked as head of confectionery while studying.

While still a student, she also appeared on hit Channel 4 show Extreme Cake Makers after assisting at Cake International, working tirelessly to produce a six-foot sea horse cake 'sculpture ' in aid of the Marine Conservation Society.

She also made her mark at the Alliance for Bakery Students and Trainees (ABST) awards, winning gold for her scrumptious shortbread, silver for a vegan healthy eating bar innovation and Best in Show for her show-stopping fondant fancies.

After graduating, she quickly clinched a new product development role with Leicestershire-based Fiona Cairns, who made the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge 's wedding cake and their children 's christening cakes.

Katie completed her Level 2 Bakery course and Level 3 Apprenticeship at University College Birmingham, before progressing onto the foundation degree and topping up to a full BSc honours, also teaching the university 's Young Bakers Academy for 14-15 year olds.

She said: “This means a great deal, not just for me, but for the people who helped me along the way. I also want to inspire other young people to develop their passion and creativity in baking. ”

Samantha Dowle, assistant dean of the University 's Birmingham College of Food (Bakery and Patisserie), said: “Katie has always pushed herself to the next level and committed her time to part-time work, helping with competitions and entering them herself too, winning a collection of awards.

“As a runner-up last year, I am pleased she has now achieved the Rising Star award as she has always shone brightly. ”