A teenager who blogs about her battle with cancer and also her favourite recipes has resumed her professional catering course at East Kent College after finishing chemotherapy, writes Paul Offord.

catering student and cancer sufferer Emily Mackay is determined to spread the word about how the disease affects teenagers.

The 18-year-old East Kent College level three learner was diagnosed a year ago with a rare type of bone cancer, called osteosarcoma, in her right thigh bone and the left saddle bone of her spine. She was forced to put her studies on hold while undergoing chemotherapy, but carried on developing recipes for a blog she launched in January called Cooking and Cancer.

She resumed her course in September after completing the treatment and represented the college last month at a fundraising event in Skipton, North Yorkshire, for the Ilkley Candlelighters charity, which supports research into children’s cancers.

Emily helped top chef Steve Smith, from Freemasons gastro pub in Wiswell, Lancashire, which was ranked number one in the 2015 Good Food Guide’s Top 50 UK Pubs, prepare dishes including heritage potatoes cooked in ham knuckle stock, crispy hen’s egg and mushroom ketchup for the guests.

She said: “Returning to college and working with Steve was fantastic. It was inspirational hearing him explain how he came up with ideas for his dishes.

“I started the blog because I thought people weren’t aware of how many young people are affected by cancer and it would be good to spread the word. A nurse told me the other day that seven teenagers are diagnosed in this country every day.

“I have always enjoyed cooking and writing about it helped keep me going. My dad, Graham, is a real foodie. He’s my sous chef who helps me test out my recipes.”

Emily said her lecturers were “brilliant” when she had to take a break from her course.

They organised a six-course fundraising meal and charity auction in her honour in April, which raised £5,000 for The Teenage Cancer Trust.

She said: “I didn’t really know much about the cancer when I was diagnosed, so couldn’t tell them much about how it was going to affect me. They we so supportive and just said ‘come back when you are ready’.”

Emily also spread the word about support available to cancer sufferers on prime time BBC One show Saints and Scroungers — which reports on benefits fraudsters and people who

deserve government help.

She was interviewed by presenter Matt Alwright for an episode screened last month about emotional and practical support she received from charity Cancer and Leukaemia in

Childhood (CLIC) Sargent.

Emily said: “I had previously said I would be happy to help with anything to advertise the charity and they emailed me to ask if I would be interviewed for the show. I was terrified but my mum, Karen, was interviewed too. I talked about the good advice CLIC Sargent gave me on care and financial support available to cancer sufferers.

“It was weird seeing myself on telly, but everyone said I did a good job so I was happy.”

It represented another encouraging step forward in her battle with the cancer which has been cleared from her femur but is still in her spine.

She said: “My advice to other teenagers diagnosed with cancer is ‘don’t give up and don’t let it get you down’. You have still got a life and just need to keep living it.”

Visit cookingandcancer.wordpress.com to read Emily’s blog.

 

Main picture caption: Emily Mackay pictured recently

Chichester College learner Beeche Taylor was named newcomer of the year at the British Dog Grooming Championships.

The 19-year-old level three dog styling student took the title after impressing judges at the event last month in Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, with a ‘teddy bear’ style she created for her Shih Tzu Lola.

It involved a short cut all over except for the dog’s head where the fur was left longer and fluffy.

Grooming lecturer Sue Nas Said: “What a terrific achievement.

“Beeche took along her little Shih Tzu dog which she clipped and scissored into a teddy bear trim in two hours.

“This young lady was a very shy and quiet girl when she started at college and now the world is her oyster.”

 

Picture Caption: Beeche Taylor and her dog Lola after winning the best newcomer award

The 18-year-old, who is studying a higher national certificate in electrical engineering, took up the sport aged nine and has been competing in national and regional tournaments since 2005.

He beat 60 of the county’s top archers to claim gold at the British Academy Cup’s in the 18-21 age category has been selected for the Great Britain development squad for international competitions.

He said: “This has been a great couple of years for me. I’m really pleased with how I’ve progressed.

“My goal is definitely to secure a place in the full national squad next year and I’m setting my sights on a place at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

“That would be a dream come true.”

 

Picture Caption: Andy taking part in the British Academy Cup 18 to 21 age category

The United States (US) Secretary of Labour Thomas Perez learned about British vocational training at Westminster Kingsway College.

Mr Perez, who is responsible for US government legislation on apprenticeships, visited the college as part of a Europe-wide tour of FE providers.

He heard a talk about how FE works in this country, with particular focus on apprenticeships, from director of strategy and performance Caireen Mitchell and assistant principal and head of hospitality, business and enterprise Geoff Booth.

Mr Perez then visited a level two chef apprenticeship class in one of the college’s 14 teaching kitchens.

Chef lecturer Simon Stocker said: “The visit highlighted the success that we continue to have in delivering apprenticeships.

“Mr Perez was interested in how our apprentices balance their time between work and study and the different employment routes that they are undertaking at some of the top hotels and restaurants in London.”

Mr Perez said: “It was great to see apprenticeships in action and hear about the many graduates here taking their skills to top London restaurants.”

 

Picture caption: US Secretary of Labour Thomas Perez (front row cenre left) with catering students

Bath city centre was invaded by aliens as students completed their third annual fundraising spacewalk.

More than 100 students from City of Bath College dressed as aliens from Star Trek, Star Wars and the Men In Black movies and a variety of other space creatures.

They collected £272 through selling doughnuts and collecting donations in buckets while passing tourist attractions including Bath Abbey, The Theatre Royal and Thermae Bath Spa.

The event was organised by the college’s business, media and performing arts departments for the Off the Record charity which provides free and confidential support to young people with mental health issues.

Level three music tech student Nico Prommer, aged 18, said: “It was good to be able to do something for charity and everyone looked amazing.”

Picture Caption: From left: Media lecturers James Purslow and Ed Powell dressed as Cyborgs from Star Trek