A BUDDING chef not only won a young entrepreneur business award, she has secured a scholarship for a Royal Academy of Culinary Arts course.
Annie Ryder is only 15 but has already has set up her own business and has her career mapped out after winning a place at Bournemouth and Poole College, starting next September.
At Rossendale Business Awards on Wednesday (Nov 11), the Haslingden High School pupil won the Enterprising Young Person trophy.
When she was 13 she set up ‘Bake Me A Cake Annie?’ after she was asked to make a football cake for her mother’s friend.
“I never wanted to be paid for it, but she was so pleased she wanted to pay me,” said Annie, from Elm Street, Bacup.
“I then realised that there was a demand and, as I wanted a job, maybe I could make some money out of it.
“I have made more than 100 cakes and I am saving up all the money I make to pay for my time at college.”
Only 30 students were accepted for the course and Annie had to attend an interview in Bournemouth where she had to show her culinary skills.
She said: “They must have been impressed with how I chopped the onion because I was awarded a scholarship.”
For the next four years she will complete three terms of training in Bournemouth and three years working as an apprentice in a London restaurant.
She could end up working for The Ritz, Claridges or even Buckingham Palace as all of the restaurants take apprentices from the course.
“I have always enjoyed cooking and baking and it is something I am really passionate about,” said Annie.
“In four years time, my friends will still be on university courses, but I will be qualified, have experience and be earning a wage.”
Annie’s scholarship will cover her accommodation costs in Bournemouth and provide an allowance for living in London.
Rossendale Business Awards is organised by Valley at Work, which connects local businesses and the Enterprising Young Person Award is sponsored by Rossendale High Schools.