A PASTRY chef who started out testing recipes in his kitchen at home has clinched a top gong at a world famous pastry competition.

FROM making a mess in his kitchen at home, a pastry chef and his team have scooped a prize at a world-famous pastry competition.

Jamie Houghton, 28, a former Colchester Institute student, joined chefs from across the UK to take part in the prestigious Coupe de Monde de la Patisserie.

The competition, which translates as World Cup of Pastry, saw the team head to Lyon in France to pit themselves against 20 other countries.

Each team is represented by three professionals - a pastry chef, a chocolate chef and an ice-cream specialist.

They spend ten hours working on creations in front of a live crowd and a jury of prestigious pastry chefs to be named the best.

While the UK team finished in fifth overall, Jamie and his colleagues scooped the best sugar piece.

Jamie, whose love for pastry stemmed from his family home in Greenstead, Colchester, said: “We were in there for ten hours.

“We had to make 18 plated desserts, two ice cream cakes, three chocolate cakes, as well as a sugar piece, an ice piece and a chocolate piece.

“Our theme was Oceana - so everything to do with the sea.

“We chose fish as our main theme, the ice sculpture was of two fish dancing and the chocolate and sugar pieces were also two fish pieces flowing together.”

Jamie, who took an course in advanced patisserie at the Sheepen Road college, has worked at the Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxford.

He found out last March he had been selected as a member of Team UK.

For Jamie and the team their training and backgrounds stood them in good stead as they helped the UK secure its best ever finish at the event.

He said: “We started at 6.30am, there was no-one else in the stadium until about 9am.

“Even when it was packed with 2,000 people who were cheering and taking pictures, you don’t notice any of it.

“When you are in that booth and you have a job to do, you are able to just turn off and focus on that.

“You don’t realise the stress or tension.”

Jamie said all the teams had their teething problems, but with enough practice beforehand they were able to move ahead.

Speaking about his team’s win, he said: “Although on the day it was me in charge of sugar, this was definitely a team effort.

“It was a proud moment, but the biggest achievement was Team UK placing fifth in the world.”

Now the competition is over he is taking the time to relax, visiting friends and family before heading back to Oxford.

He said: “For now we are just finding out who we are again.

“After 13 months of training you kind of lose touch with who you are as it takes up all your time.”

The grand finale of the contest is held every two years in Lyon.

* Photos by Julien Bouvier