Destini was awarded a gold medal and first place in Foundation Cookery at the WorldSkills UK National Finals, held at Cardiff & Vale College on 28 November 2025. But when she first heard about the opportunity to compete, she wasn’t convinced it was for her.
Encouraged by her teachers to give it a go, Destini decided to take a chance and put her culinary skills to the test.
“I wanted to see if I was capable of being in the kitchen and cooking under a heap of pressure,” she explains. “I wanted to see if I really had the skills to be a chef.”
“I wanted to see if I was capable of being in the kitchen and cooking under a heap of pressure,” she explains. “I wanted to see if I really had the skills to be a chef.”
At first, competing was daunting. Destini lacked confidence and was nervous about performing under pressure, but as she progressed through the competition, those nerves turned into determination.
Preparing for the National Finals
In the ten weeks leading up to the National Finals, Destini dedicated herself to improving her skills. She asked to use her college kitchens during the holidays, practised her dishes and regularly sought feedback from her tutors.
“I was really dedicated to it,” she says. “I came in during my holidays and asked all my teachers for their feedback to see if I could do better.”
Her hard work paid off when she took first place and won gold in Foundation Cookery.
But for Destini, the experience was about much more than winning a medal. It also transformed her confidence.
Before competing, speaking in front of a group was something she couldn’t imagine doing. Now, she has shared her experience and advice with other students interested in taking part.
“Honestly, if it wasn’t for this competition, I wouldn’t have spoken to anyone.”
The experience has also inspired Destini to keep challenging herself. Since the National Finals, she has taken part in another competition between colleges as part of a three-person team – and celebrated another win.
“Just go for it”
Destini’s advice to anyone thinking about entering a WorldSkills UK competition is simple: take the opportunity, even if you’re unsure.
“If you’re not sure about it, still go for it,” she says. “I definitely wasn’t sure. My teachers kept telling me, ‘You should do it, you should do it.’
What started as a chance to test her skills in the kitchen became an opportunity for Destini to prove what she was capable of ,gaining a gold medal, valuable experience and, most importantly, greater confidence in herself and her future career.
