A bakery student from the Neath Port Talbot College (NPTC) recently had the chance to visit The Richemont School of Excellence in Switzerland.

Emma Barraclough, a Level 3 FDQ bakery student, travelled to Switzerland to attend a specialist training course at the world renowned school, after being offered the opportunity by the Worshipful Company of Bakers.

The Richemont School is well known for its excellence and creativity, as well as offering very few courses in English.

Accompanied by students from colleges across Wales, Emma undertook both specialist bread and confectionery training, producing a variety of specialist breads which included learning technical information and demonstrations of various types of bread such as sourdough and rye.

The confectionery element of the programme included sponges, flavoured creams and fillings of different types of torte and sponges.

Gareth Morgan, bakery lecturer, NPTC, said: "We have been involved with Richemont School of Excellence in Switzerland for the last three years and we are delighted that one of our students had the opportunity to attend such an amazing course."

After attending the course, Barraclough said: "I thought that the course was a fantastic opportunity for me. I learnt some excellent new skills and techniques which will enhance my learning and existing knowledge and skills further. I also intend to use these skills within the college and then in industry once I have completed my course.

"Not only were we taught by highly skilled professionals but also got to meet other professional bakers on the course and I was able to talk to them about the industry and their particular interests in baking."