A lecturer at Ealing’s University of West London has won a national pastry award after a final that called for a tower of 120 profiteroles inspired by London Fashion Week.
Ben Christopherson, senior lecturer in patisserie and confectionery at the university’s London Geller College of Hospitality and Tourism, received the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts’ Master of Culinary Arts award in pastry at the Dorchester last month (16 October 2026).
The final also included a nine-element apple soufflé. In an eight-hour semi-final, Mr Christopherson made brioche, petits fours, a Charlotte à la russe cake and a chocolate showpiece.
Culinary industry management student Charlotte Vicars was his commis chef during the assessments. Earlier this year, Mr Christopherson helped her earn the academy’s Award of Excellence.
Mr Christopherson said: “I’ve learned a lot from her because she has different perspectives and has the confidence to make suggestions about how I could do things differently.”
