Shannon Walker
Shannon, 18, from Kilmarnock, struggled
with unemployment having left college to help care for her
mum. After completing a Get into Cooking programme, Shannon is now
a motivated and talented young chef, hoping to travel and develop
her culinary experience.
Shannon had left college to help care for her
mum and struggled with the reality of unemployment as she had no
money and worried that without qualifications she wouldn’t be able
to secure a positive future.
Keen to find her own independence, Shannon
wanted to return to college, but didn’t feel she would be able to
fully commit to it.
A Transitional Worker for Skills Development
East Ayrshire Council signposted Shannon on to the Get into Cooking
programme and this became a real turning point. Shannon learned a
range of new skills during the course; including making pastry,
bread and pasta; vegetable, meat and fish preparation; knife
skills; sauces; and deserts. During her work placement at the Park
Hotel in Kilmarnock, the head chef commented he’d be keen to give
her a permanent job when she finished the programme.
Shannon’s confidence grew and she matured over
the course of the six week programme. Her experience combined with
the skills she had gained gave her a new found self-esteem. On
completion of the programme, Shannon started working at The Park
Hotel until April 2011, before taking up the post of third commis
chef at The Canny Man in Lugton, where she has shown a natural
flair for pastries and desserts.
In summer 2011, Shannon was asked to be part
of a team of Get into Cooking graduates who would cook for HRH The
Prince of Wales at a private dinner he was hosting at Dumfries
House. This was a career highlight for Shannon and she was
delighted to be involved.
Shannon is now a motivated and talented young chef who takes
immense pride in her work. She is coping well living away
from home and is looking forward to a very positive future, hoping
to travel and develop her culinary experience.
Champions
We would like to acknowledge the individuals or organisations
who have played a key role in helping this young person achieve
success through their Prince’s Trust programme.
- Margorie Harvie, SDES East Ayrshire
Council
- Phil Lewis, The Cook School
Scotland
- The Wood Family Trust