Student sweet on Swiss patisserie trip

Becky Watson is excited to be jetting off to Switzerland on a Waiariki scholarship. Photo / Stephen Parker

A Rotorua woman with a passion for patisserie has been awarded the chance to visit one of the pastry capitals of the world.

Waiariki Institute of Technology student Becky Watson, 18, is heading to Switzerland after winning a new scholarship established by the institute.

Waiariki's patisserie department set up the Patisserie Swiss scholarship which allows one student to spend three months in the country learning about the culinary art of pastry making.

The scholarship was mainly funded by bake sales held by the department once a month at the Kuirau market.

Miss Watson will spend the three months working in a patisserie bakery, during the busy Swiss winter season, as a vocational learning experience.

She said she was still in shock about being awarded the scholarship.

"It's an amazing opportunity. I was so thrilled when I found out my application was successful.

"I was up against two great applicants so I wasn't holding my breath. When I found out I would be going I was shocked but also excited."

Miss Watson said she was looking forward to experiencing working in a bakery in Europe.

"I've never travelled outside of New Zealand before so this trip is just too good to be true.

"I am keen to learn everything I can and be totally immersed in the culture so when I come back I will be able to share with my classmates what it is like and what I have learned."

She said she was passionate about patisserie and expected to learn some tricks of the trade.

"This experience is going to be invaluable and I am so grateful to Waiariki for giving me the chance to go. Patisserie is a passion of mine so to learn from some of the best is a dream come true."