
Young Welsh chef to compete at EuroSkills 2025 in Denmark
Gabi Wilson, a 20-year-old chef from Hay-on-Wye and a member of Team UK, will compete at EuroSkills Herning 2025 in Denmark following her success in national skills competitions.
She said: "The apprenticeship helped me a lot because working in a professional kitchen is much different to being a college student.
"My advice to anyone wishing to become a chef is to opt for an apprenticeship at a place where there are skilled professionals because you will always learn from the best.
"It's a recipe for success.
"Graduating was a proud moment for me because my mum and dad attended the ceremony and Cambrian Training staff were praising me."
Ms Wilson recently completed her Apprenticeship in Professional Cookery through Cambrian Training Company and was the first winner of the Green Chef Challenge at the 2024 Welsh International Culinary Championships.
She began working at Chapters in February and praised the support of head chef Mark McHugo and his team.
Ms Wilson said: "It's going really well and I am learning a lot.
"We have just finished Hay Festival which was super-busy for 10 days.
"I want to learn a wide range of skills before possibly specialising in patisserie.
"In the future, I would also like to do stages at different restaurants to learn from other chefs."
To prepare for EuroSkills Herning 2025, she will receive support from Andrew Addis-Fuller and Craig Holly, Cambrian Training Company training officers, in fish preparation and butchery.
She is also completing a City and Guilds Level 3 Patisserie qualification at NPTC Group of Colleges in Newtown.
Ms Wilson, who lives in Rhayader, previously worked at Chartists 1770 at The Trewythen in Llanidloes before moving to Chapters after the former restaurant closed last year.
More than 100 apprentices from across Wales attended the Cambrian Training Company graduation ceremony at the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

South Wales Argus
2 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Cwmbran's newest sweet spot! I tried Frozen Yogurt at YoGood!
YoGood Frozen Yogurt and Waffles, located in Monmouth Square, opened just two months ago. The sweet treat cabin serves a variety of tasty treats including milkshakes, bubble cone waffles, it's signature frozen yogurt and even frozen yogurt made with whey protein for fitness buffs. Antonino Monaca outside the YoGood Cwmbran frozen yogurt cabin (Image: NQ) Owner Antonino Monaca 45 told the Argus 'We make frozen yogurt, and everything is very tasty!' 'The Dubai chocolate flavour is really popular, as well as Oreo and Biscoff.' Antonio is originally from Sicily. His heritage shines through in his new business. He said: 'Because I'm Italian, we also have gelatos. This comes straight from Italy.' Since opening, YoGood has become a local favourite for its unique flavours and fun twists like 'FroYo ice cream spaghetti.' Whilst at YoGood I tried out a large cup of frozen yogurt topped with Ferrero Rocher a wafer and chocolate sauce. It was everything I needed and more on an extremely out of character hot Welsh day! Frozen Yogurt topped with Ferrero Rocher at YoGood Cwmbran (Image: NQ) The creamy flavour of the frozen yogurt combined with the rich chocolate sauce was absolutely stunning. I would definitely recommend this for chocoholics. This came to a total of £5.95 My friend on scene also grabbed a Vanilla milkshake topped with mango sorbet sauce. She said the mango sorbet and vanilla milkshake was 'really refreshing' and was nice if you enjoy fruit style desserts. This was priced at £4.95. Vanilla milkshake topped with mango sorbet at YoGood Cwmbran (Image: NQ) Customers have been quick to share their satisfaction. 'Everybody's very happy,' said Antonino. The business also has a brand-new delivery service through Just Eat. From 11am to 7pm, locals can order their favourite treats and have them dropped off straight to their doorstep. The cabin itself is open every day except Monday, from 10am to 6pm, and serves up a range of sweet options at tempting prices: Bubble Waffle Cone – £7.95 Frozen Yogurt Tray – £6.95 Milkshakes – £4.95 Mini Pancakes – £3.50 (small cup) / £4.50 (regular) / £10.95 (family box) FroYo – £4.95 (regular) / £9.95 (large) FroYo Spaghetti – £5.50 Next time you're in the Cwmbran area give this place a try!


Wales Online
16 hours ago
- Wales Online
Popular soft play cafe reopens with delicious pastries and cakes
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A key part of my parenting tool kit is a decent coffee, sometimes that extends to a croissant. One of my kids' favourite things to do is soft plays, and normally those are mutually exclusive. So I'm a little loathed to tell you about the place where you can get proper coffee served in custom-made ceramic cups, artisan bakes, and your kids can play not only in a role play area, but a soft play and a huge wooden castle too. Play café Tyfu - the Welsh word for grow - is the former Play Loft on Merthyr Road, which closed in 2020, it's been reinvented for the next generation. It's the brain child of local mum Carys Daniels and husband Lloyd. Designed for kids up to eight, it's fully bilingual. The coffee is from Crafty Smuggler, Beth's Bakes provide the brownies and blondies, while the focaccia, sourdough and pastries delivered fresh daily from Angel bakery in Abergavenny. They all come served on ceramics handmade by Matt Jones ceramics in Blackwood. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here . As well as the cakes and bakes, food options include chorizo and mozarella focaccia, or a proscuitto option. (Image: Maria Dania) Carys explains: "As parents ourselves, we understand how important it is to have spaces where children can explore and play freely yet safely. Tyfu was born from our desire to create somewhere that works for the whole family – a place where children can grow through play and imagination, and where parents and guardians can connect in a relaxed environment, with good coffee and food. 'We were thrilled when we were able to secure the site of the former Playloft for Tyfu – a business which was much loved by the north Cardiff parenting community, but which sadly closed in 2020. We hope that families will love what we've done with the space, and we can't wait to meet our new customers'. When we went on a Friday morning, it was heaving so we ended up sharing tables with other people - although we were soon beckoned away from our coffee to play anyway. (Image: Tyfu/Carys Daniels) The equipment is spread over two floors. After you enter at the ground floor, the coffee shop and role play area are on the first floor. The second floor has more tables and chairs by big people with a soft play area and castle for climbing with a slide that my youngest went flying down again (and again, and again). There are gates within each floor so your small people don't escape without supervision, and plenty of staff on hand to help with tidying, coffee and handing over those precious cakes. (Image: Maria Dania) The inside is beautifully decorated with light woods, pastel colours and Melin Tregwynt fabrics, with plenty of helpful touches when you're with kids. There's a spacious downstairs toilet with baby change space and toilet booster seats and locks on the doors between levels so you can (try) keep them penned in for the length of a flat white. The role play area was the favourite of our visit, with a shop, disco, kitchen, fire engine, beauty parlour, and because it's new (although I have every faith they will stay on top of replacements) everything was top quality. While it says it's suitable for up to kids up to age eight, I think older kids might get bored - or fleece you for a cake - earlier than the younger ones who the stuff is more geared up for. Tyfu is located at 42a Merthyr Road, Whitchurch, Cardiff, CF14 1DJ (entry is via a side door which is located on Bishops Road). It is open Tuesday through to Saturday. Entry prices are £5.95 for kids aged between six months and two, children aged two to eight are £8.95. Weekend prices are £1 more for both.

South Wales Argus
20 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Cyfarthfa Castle in Merthyr Tydfil to get £4.5m in funding
Cyfarthfa Castle in Merthyr Tydfil will receive £4.5 million in funding to mark its 200th anniversary, with the investment supporting urgent conservation work and long-term redevelopment. The funding, jointly provided by the Welsh Government and Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, will help restore the oldest parts of the castle and protect nearby historic features, including the Pont-y-Cafnau bridge. Jack Sargeant, minister for culture, said: "Cyfarthfa Castle stands as a monumental piece of Welsh heritage, telling the story of our industrial past and cultural journey." The funding will also support plans to expand museum displays, enhance public access, and further develop the surrounding 160-acre park. Jess Mahoney, chief executive of the Cyfarthfa Foundation, said: "This investment in Cyfarthfa is fantastic news at a key time for the castle and park as it celebrates its bicentenary year, marking 200 years at the very heart of life in Merthyr Tydfil." Councillor Brent Carter, leader of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, said: "The Cyfarthfa Castle re-development is a priority project for the council and will be delivered in a phased approach over a number of years. "This funding secured from Welsh Government and the council will have a significant impact in enabling essential conservation work to take place, preserving a treasured asset, and the jewel in Merthyr's crown." To mark the anniversary, a weekend of free public events will take place on July 5 and 6, including museum entry, talks, storytelling, and an artisan market.