From meeting Princess Diana to teaching inmates at Long Bay Jail, Loftus TAFE teacher Stephen Peel has done it all.
The pastry specialist who grew up in the UK previously cooked at the Ritz Hotel in London and studied in Germany. He even baked Liberace's birthday cake and worked at several Michelin star restaurants.
"I spent some time working at L'Escargot, which was a favourite of Princess Margaret and Princess Diana. I was even lucky enough to meet Princess Diana on one occasion. It's certainly one of the highlights of my career," he said.
At age 24 he became executive chef of carnival cruise lines before settling in Australia and working as the head pastry chef at what is now known as Sheraton on the Park. He spent more than a decade at Nick's Darling Harbour, and now he is lending his skills teaching commercial cookery - a trade that is attracting a strong number of upcoming chefs to the industry.
"I really enjoy training and mentoring students - seeing the best in them and helping them achieve their goals. I've found my calling - teaching's what I do," he said.
"The cafe at Long Bay Jail is supported by the inmates and they cook all the food for the officers and everyone who works at Long Bay. I'm glad that I can give these guys some practical skills and some hope so that when they do leave prison, they can have a career and can try to improve their lives.
"I love that now I can encourage other young chefs to succeed, it's brilliant watching them develop their skills and mature into phenomenal bakers."
