Sweet Smell Of Success For Culinary Couple
13 October 2011
Graduates Jennifer and Phil Hardy.
We met on our first day at University and were married just under a year later
”Jennifer Hardy.
A shared passion for cooking has led to a new bakery business as well as to wedded bliss for a husband and wife team who met while they studied together at the University of Derby Buxton.
Mansfield-based baking business, Sweet Buns, is the result of Jennifer and Phil Hardy's love of good food, as well as for each other. The couple, who met while studying towards a BA (Hons) degree in Professional Culinary Arts, launched their new venture this week; baking bespoke cakes, patisseries and desserts to order through their website www.sweet-buns.co.uk
Jennifer, 31 who is originally from Connecticut, USA, met Phil, 26, from York, when they began their studies in 2008. Both mature students, Jennifer applied to the University after travelling to the UK to care for a relative, while Phil had previously worked as a chef at the Isaac Walton Hotel near Ashbourne. Both had decided to further their careers by studying towards a degree.
Jennifer said: "We met on our first day at University and were married just under a year later. Everything just fell into place and felt perfectly right. We have both always wanted to work for ourselves so being able to put our shared passion for cooking into our own business really is the icing on the cake."
Leonard Cseh, University of Derby Buxton Programme Leader for Hospitality and Culinary Arts, said: "As mature students both Jennifer and Phil brought experience and real passion for their cooking. They impressed us with their dedication and excellent culinary skills throughout the programme.
"We were all delighted when they got married, and I know that their new business venture will be as great a success."
The University was so impressed by Jennifer's improvement in ability, and enthusiasm for learning, that she was chosen to receive its award for 'Highest Accomplishment and Most Inspirational Student', sponsored by Holbeck Ghyll Country House Hotel, one of the finest luxury hotels in the Lake District. She will collect the award when both she and Phil graduate from the University of Derby Buxton at its annual Awards Ceremony on 3 December 2011, Jennifer with a First Class Honours and Phil with a 2;1.
For more information on Sweet Buns visit website www.sweet-buns.co.uk
For more information on Hospitality and Culinary Arts programmes at the University of Derby Buxton visit: www.derby.ac.uk/udb
For more information please contact Press & PR Officer Joanna Colburn on 01332 593004 or 07775 036988, or email j.colburn@derby.ac.uk
