Baking student wins Chefs at the Castle Excellence Award Bursary

Baking and Culinary students at Fairmont Chateau Laurier

Chefs at the Castle: A Michelin Star Culinary Experience at Fairmont Château Laurier is a first-of-its-kind event in Canada, bringing together world-renowned chefs for exclusive multi-course dinners and interactive cooking classes. From Oct. 29 to Nov. 1, 2024, each evening showcased exceptional fine dining and culinary artistry, with chefs presenting signature dishes and sharing insights with guests. Algonquin College culinary and pastry arts students were invited to assist chefs at the event, with the coordination efforts of culinary and pastry arts program coordinators and Acting Chair, Harsh Singh.

The Chefs at the Castle Excellence Award is a $1,000 bursary presented to a high-achieving culinary or pastry student in the region, made possible by the generous support of our event sponsors. This award is designed to recognize a student with exceptional dedication, ambition and a clear vision for their future in the culinary arts.

Yatong Liang, a student in Algonquin College’s Baking and Pastry Arts Management program, was selected as the inaugural recipient for her outstanding commitment to her craft. Liang’s application highlighted a purposeful plan to establish a bakery that aims to bring comfort and joy to busy professionals, demonstrating her strategic vision and clear career goals. Her focus on acquiring essential skills and tools, paired with her ambitious goal to launch a creative business venture, perfectly embodies the qualities this award seeks to nurture. A glowing application and reference demonstrates that she has not only achieved academic excellence but has also shown kindness, thoughtfulness and a strong work ethic, often going above and beyond to support her peers. Liang’s dedication, ambitious spirit and commitment to using this bursary purposefully make her an exemplary recipient of the Chefs at the Castle Excellence Award.