Former pupil and top chef Gareth Baty has returned to his old school.<\/p>\n
Austin Friars<\/a> in Carlisle<\/a> is\u00a0where he learnt some of his early culinary skills, before going on to become an industry leader.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Masterchef<\/a>: The Professionals winner officially opened the independent school’s new Food Technology Department, which came at cost of \u00a370,000.<\/p>\n Gareth Baty when he was studying at the school. Credit: Austin Friars School<\/p>\n It will also be available to local community groups and pupils from other schools to use.\u00a0<\/p>\n Gareth told ITV Border: “It’s an honour to be asked back. Albeit, [I was] a little bit nervous driving back up the driveway after all these years.<\/p>\n “Getting the foundations early, understanding the processes and just getting some core recipes in your repertoire\u00a0 will carry you through the rest of your life.<\/p>\n “Once you understand a few basic principles, you can then start experimenting and developing those skills.”<\/p>\n Pupils have already been busy in the new facility, cooking vegetable fritters\u00a0and learning skills from Gareth.\u00a0<\/p>\n Students Daisy Beresford and Liberty Bull enjoying the new facilities. Credit: ITV Border<\/p>\n Year 8 Student Liberty Bull said: “I think it’ll be quite exciting in the future because I definitely want to choose it as an option for GCSEs<\/a>.”<\/p>\n In the same year group, Daisy Beresford said: “I think it\u2019s going to be a good opportunity for younger and older years.”<\/p>\n The school says the food tech department is is part of wider investment.\u00a0<\/p>\n Headteacher Chris Hattam said: “We\u2019ve loved cooking, and the children have been engaged in food technology, but they certainly haven’t had facilities like this today [before]. <\/p>\n “It’s been an air fryer or a couple of baking trays in an oven.<\/p>\n “Not only are they open to the public if they want to come in and rent, but we’re actually reaching out to all the local primary schools to offer them free use of our food technology.”<\/p>\n It\u2019s hoped the new facility will help pupils wishing to enter the hospitality industry. <\/p>\n