STUDENTS with a sweet tooth at Swindon College will be in for a treat after their lecturer enjoyed some one on one tuition with a pastry chef at the top of his game.

At just 21-years-old, Thomas Leatherbarrow has been cooking up a storm in the kitchen by establishing his own pastry chef business, having earned his stripes working under the likes of Jason Atherton and Tom Aikens.

On Friday he was guest of honour at Swindon College’s hospitality kitchens where he shared some of his expertise with chef lecturer Paul Kelly.

The masterclass comes ahead of a special event being staged at the college in April when Paul will be laying on a pudding party.

He secured the talents of Thomas to help him devise his menu for the event after entering a competition organised by Kerrymaid last year and found out just before Christmas that he had been selected as the winner.

He said: “Thomas is a renowned pastry chef and he has got his finger on the pulse, so it is ideal for me to get myself upgraded to this way of thinking and influence the things I do in the kitchen, which I can carry back to my students.”

Drawing up the menu of sweet treats together they then got down to business in the kitchen to prepare the dishes.

Thomas said he was delighted to be assisting in the project at the college. He said: “I really enjoy working with different colleges and chefs in the industry that are training the next generation of students, young chefs and pastry chefs.

“We sat down and decided on a small five course menu for the pudding party that Paul has planned, so we are testing a few recipes and playing with a couple of ideas.”