A Richmond-based baker has opened up on how she bounced back from an intensive hand surgery to win a prestigious food award.
Adele Hing, owner of Made by Adele, claimed the highest Three Star rating at the prestigious Guild of Fine Food’s international Great Taste Awards after undergoing a bilateral wrist operation earlier this year.
After taking a four-month break from her business to recover from an intensive surgical procedure, Hing faced a lot of uncertainty about her ability to continue in her profession, let alone enter and rank highly in the competition, but felt validated for having made it thorough.
Hing said: “It was very hard, but it also means so much knowing I was able to get through this on my own.
“It was probably one of the hardest things I’ve experienced in my life.
“It’s one thing to not be able to use [my hand] for work, but getting through everyday life was a challenge.
“I realised how much I had taken using my hands for granted.”
Hing, who managed the manages the operational and commercial aspects of the business with the help from a personal assistant, is heavily motivated by feminism and advocacy for women in the food industry.
She has had to navigate male-dominated environments and aims to improve the lives of women within and beyond her industry, using her 15 years experience in the food development sphere and CTH diploma in culinary arts.
Hing organises a annual fundraiser on International Women’s Day, where proceeds are donated to women-led charities, and has raised over £1,000 through it so far.
The 36-year-old took great pride in her award victory with her Pistachio, Raspberry & Rose cake, while her espresso, tonka bean and chocolate (tiramisu) cake claimed a One Star rating as well to take her tally of accolades to eight in three years.
The Great Taste Awards judging panel was made up of food critics, chefs, writers and producers, evaluated over 14,300 entries into the competition from across the world, with fewer than 2% earning a Three Star rating from blind taste testing.
They describe Hing’s winning pistachio, raspberry and rose cake, as “an utter delight”.
The judges added: “It’s the cake that keeps on giving, with layers of flavour and
luxurious ingredients that cannot fail to impress.
“Every mouthful brings a different dimension and flavour – it is a clever recipe.”
The award was the perfect way for Hing to celebrate after an unpredictable year, too.
She said: “It’s the icing on the cake – pun intended.”
For more information on Made by Adele, visit the company’s website, Facebook and Instagram pages.
Featured image: Free to use from Unsplash
Join the discussion