Dream comes true for budding chef (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Budding chef looks forward to new career

6:10pm Sunday 30th September 2012 in News By Barbara Jordan

A DREAM has come true for a Widnes man who loves food.

Lawrence Fulton, aged 52, who used to work in grounds maintenance, has always wanted to be a professional chef.

He can now fulfil his ambition, thanks to a bursary, which funded a course and paid for his catering uniform.

He is the first person to take advantage of funding for unempolyed tenants by Halton’s biggest landlord, Halton Housing Trust.

He has completed a course in professional cookery at Riverside College.

After travelling around Bulgaria, Switzerland and America, he developed a passion for food.

Lawrence, from Upton, who said: “After living around the world, I’ve learnt lots about difference cuisines, particularly after working for food banks in New Mexico and Manhattan.

“I’ve always had an interest in food. When I heard about this bursary, I jumped at the chance.”

Lawrence has learnt how to cook everything from meat and fish to vegetable, bread and sauces.

Being unemployed, he said he couldn’t afford tuition.

Debbie Jameson, the trust’s customer involvement officer, said: “If people are on benefits, they can’t afford fees, uniform or equipment.

“The bursary is there to help people like Lawrence.”

For further details, call 0151 510 5185.