Students at Cornwall College have been treated to a tasty masterclass chocolate by the executive head chef of Cambridge University.

Chocolate is big business in the UK with sales predicted to increase by 35 per cent over the next five years.

Stephen Mather, who gained his first catering qualification with Cornwall College in 1977, delivered the two day course to students studying the Level 3 Patisserie Diploma at Camborne and St Austell.

He said: “Chocolate is big business and you have to make sure that people understand its makeup. My plan has been to show them that things don’t just happen when it comes to chocolate; there is a science behind it, practice makes perfect. If you walk into a chocolate shop, the first thing you are going to do is to choose with your eyes, so it has to look good.”

The chocolate industry is worth an estimated £3.96 billion to the UK economy, with the biggest growth being in the sale of dark chocolate.

Stephen added: “The standard these guys have created is good, the progression is evident and despite there still being a little bit more to learn, they should stand back at the end of this and be proud.”

The Advanced Patisserie Diploma allows students to develop contemporary techniques in the production of fermented dough products, petit fours, paste products, desserts, chocolate and sugar work.

For further information about courses, please contact the College on 0845 22 32 567, email enquiries@cornwall.ac.uk or visit www.cornwall.ac.uk