The Eagle's Eye For The Gold!
- By Global Academy
- •
- 26 Jun, 2019
- •
Behind every great talent is an equally-gifted mentor. In the case of Chef Mike Yap, coach to Global Young Chefs Challenge Semi Finals Asia 2019 Gold Medalist student Faye Andot, he was not only behind his protégée, he was by her side all the way.
The proud teacher expresses the grueling yet fulfilling process.
“This has been one of the hardest preparations I've had so far in coaching a student for a competition. This will be my 5th time to coach in a young chefs’(25 and under) category but the circumstances were very different this time around - only four weeks of preparation working through 2 holidays, doing 3 R&Ds, 10 practice sessions, and all simultaneous with Faye's ongoing classes in International Cuisine.
Faye had zero competition experience prior to this. She was not my student so there was a lack of familiarity between the two of us. We were going to field her in an international competition that required her to produce two courses in two portions, a total of four plates, in 90 minutes. All previous young chef categories we had joined only required 1 competitor to produce 1 dish in 60 minutes. There were so many "firsts" in this competition that were psychological barriers to success that had me thinking if we had bitten more than we could chew this time around.”
The realities rose to the surface nearing the competition proper. Chef Mike candidly relates:
“You always wish you had another week to practice. My lack of familiarity with her skills, her temperament under pressure, and her lack of familiarity with my style of teaching, plus the time constraints we had for preparation really made it difficult to get her prepared in time. As such, I tried to make the entries as simple as possible, but up until our 10th and final practice session, there were still components that she would forget or that I had to adjust. I honestly wouldn't say I was ever convinced she was completely ready. Even when the team had departed for Bangkok (I was unable to join due to family matters that tied me at home), we were constantly communicating competition matters with each other, reminders and some last minute tweaking and such. We were as ready as we could be, given the time and circumstances. Was I certain she would deliver? Honestly I was just hoping for the best, but I was also ready to accept whatever outcome because at that point, we, both coach and competitor, had done all we could to prepare for the moment. It was all up to her to execute.”
Being a certified WACS judge, Chef Mike shared all his winning tips to Faye. He knew as well, that this was going to be all about her. It was up to Faye to win the prize. And this eager, passionate, persistent diamond-in-the-rough did not disappoint.
“Faye really did an awesome job on the day of her competition. I admire her courage to even accept this challenge in the first place. I remember when I first talked to her about the idea of competing in the Global Chefs Challenge. There was no hesitation on her part as she almost immediately accepted the challenge despite me explaining to her that this would be the most difficult thing she would ever do in school and that the exhaustion and anxiety will probably bring her to tears at some point. I heard she finally broke in tears in Bangkok during one of the pre-competition team prayer sessions. I honestly thought I would have her crying sooner in Manila. But she never cracked with all the pressure I put on her.
She handled her nerves quite well and was focused on the task at hand. Even when the judges would hover around her station she kept composed. The hard work she put in paid off. Hats off to her!
As a coach I can only lay the game plan. At the end of the day she executed it so well that the judges praised her for working like a professional, not like a student. I hope she takes this experience and uses it as a foundation to continue to build skill, confidence, organization, and a positive mindset.
Congratulations for etching your name in Global's history Faye. We're proud of you!”
www.globalacademyph.com
#GlobalAcademy
#GlobalAdvantage
#GoGlobal
The proud teacher expresses the grueling yet fulfilling process.
“This has been one of the hardest preparations I've had so far in coaching a student for a competition. This will be my 5th time to coach in a young chefs’(25 and under) category but the circumstances were very different this time around - only four weeks of preparation working through 2 holidays, doing 3 R&Ds, 10 practice sessions, and all simultaneous with Faye's ongoing classes in International Cuisine.
Faye had zero competition experience prior to this. She was not my student so there was a lack of familiarity between the two of us. We were going to field her in an international competition that required her to produce two courses in two portions, a total of four plates, in 90 minutes. All previous young chef categories we had joined only required 1 competitor to produce 1 dish in 60 minutes. There were so many "firsts" in this competition that were psychological barriers to success that had me thinking if we had bitten more than we could chew this time around.”
The realities rose to the surface nearing the competition proper. Chef Mike candidly relates:
“You always wish you had another week to practice. My lack of familiarity with her skills, her temperament under pressure, and her lack of familiarity with my style of teaching, plus the time constraints we had for preparation really made it difficult to get her prepared in time. As such, I tried to make the entries as simple as possible, but up until our 10th and final practice session, there were still components that she would forget or that I had to adjust. I honestly wouldn't say I was ever convinced she was completely ready. Even when the team had departed for Bangkok (I was unable to join due to family matters that tied me at home), we were constantly communicating competition matters with each other, reminders and some last minute tweaking and such. We were as ready as we could be, given the time and circumstances. Was I certain she would deliver? Honestly I was just hoping for the best, but I was also ready to accept whatever outcome because at that point, we, both coach and competitor, had done all we could to prepare for the moment. It was all up to her to execute.”
Being a certified WACS judge, Chef Mike shared all his winning tips to Faye. He knew as well, that this was going to be all about her. It was up to Faye to win the prize. And this eager, passionate, persistent diamond-in-the-rough did not disappoint.
“Faye really did an awesome job on the day of her competition. I admire her courage to even accept this challenge in the first place. I remember when I first talked to her about the idea of competing in the Global Chefs Challenge. There was no hesitation on her part as she almost immediately accepted the challenge despite me explaining to her that this would be the most difficult thing she would ever do in school and that the exhaustion and anxiety will probably bring her to tears at some point. I heard she finally broke in tears in Bangkok during one of the pre-competition team prayer sessions. I honestly thought I would have her crying sooner in Manila. But she never cracked with all the pressure I put on her.
She handled her nerves quite well and was focused on the task at hand. Even when the judges would hover around her station she kept composed. The hard work she put in paid off. Hats off to her!
As a coach I can only lay the game plan. At the end of the day she executed it so well that the judges praised her for working like a professional, not like a student. I hope she takes this experience and uses it as a foundation to continue to build skill, confidence, organization, and a positive mindset.
Congratulations for etching your name in Global's history Faye. We're proud of you!”
www.globalacademyph.com
#GlobalAcademy
#GlobalAdvantage
#GoGlobal
With every whisk and knead, Christine Agatha Flores is grateful to her alma mater for consistent drive to achieve excellence. This young entrepreneur showcases her world-class training and disciplines in her booming Patisserie!
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Passion. Reliability. Integrity. Commitment. Excellence.
Get cooking and baking at your own speed and time, anywhere nationwide and worldwide!
Over 500 techniques and recipes to learn!
STAY HOME!
STAY LEARNÉD!
STAY SAFE!
INQUIRE AND ENROLL NOW!
📞 8800 5555
info.globalacademy@gmail.com
www.globalacademyph.com
online.globabalacademyph.com
GO GLOBAL!
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