Le Cordon Bleu has named Snah Fatah from Camden, London as the winner of its prestigious scholarship, following the final held at the Le Cordon Bleu institute in Bloomsbury, London, Monday the 21st September.

Snah will receive a fully funded scholarship to study the renowned Diplôme de Pâtisserie followed by the Diploma in Pâtisserie Innovation, along with a coveted internship at CORD. The prize also includes mentoring from Michel Roux Jr and Chris Galvin and a year’s accommodation in London from Londonist. In addition, Snah received a dinner for four at Sketch’s three-Michelin-star Lecture Room, while all finalists were awarded Afternoon Tea for two at Sketch, along with a copy of the Sketch Book.

Having baked from the age of six alongside her mother, learning traditional Middle Eastern and Kurdish breads and pastries, Snah has long dreamed of pursuing a culinary career. After many years working, she was recently made redundant, which offered her the chance to turn her lifelong passion into a profession. Her ambition after the Le Cordon Bleu course is to open a community-led space, offering high quality bakes, apprenticeships and opportunities for aspiring chefs who may not have access to traditional training routes.

For the final, contestants were tasked to craft a Raspberry, Lemon Thyme and Wild Flower Dacquoise, demonstrated by Le Cordon Bleu London Deputy Head Pâtisserie Chef, Jean-Francois Favy, in one of the institute’s specialist demonstration classrooms. The competitors had 90 minutes to recreate the dish before presenting it to the judging panel, including Julie Walsh, Head Pâtiesserie Chef; Emily Roux, owner of Caractere Restaurant; Chris Galvin, creator and inspiration behind Galvin Restaurants; Ellie Smith, Managing Editor at Phaidon; and Matthew Hodgett, Teaching chef at Le Cordon Bleu.

First runner up, Eleanor Parry, will receive a scholarship to study a Basic Pâtisserie certificate at Le Cordon Bleu London and Sonny Franklin the second runner up will receive a place on the Pâtisserie Techniques Essentials Short Course.

**Snah Fatah, Le Cordon Bleu Scholarship Winner, comments: **“Winning the Le Cordon Bleu scholarship is truly a dream come true. I feel incredibly grateful to the judges and Le Cordon Bleu for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to learn from some of the very best in the industry. Baking has brought me so much joy over the years, and to now take this next step feels so special. I hope my journey inspires people to take the chance, because you never know where it might lead.”

**Chef Emil Minev, Culinary Arts Director at Le Cordon Bleu London, says **“The Le Cordon Bleu Scholarship is designed to identify and develop the next generation of culinary talent, and this year’s competition was one of the most competitive in recent years. Snah demonstrated incredible talent throughout the competition, and we look forward to welcoming her to Le Cordon Bleu and supporting her as she takes the next step in her career.”