Dundee University celebrated a special milestone on Thursday as a renowned chef, who left school at 16 with no Highers, became the institution’s 100,000th graduate.
Avril Burns, 47, is used to serving up treats for Sir Andy Murray and his family as head pastry chef at the tennis great’s luxury Cromlix Hotel in Dunblane and her graduation marked game, set and match on a return to education that began five years ago.
The teaching qualification in Further Education she received at the University’s Winter Graduation ceremony yesterday builds on the HNC and HND that Mrs Burns obtained from Forth Valley College before matriculating on the distance learning programme at Dundee.
Her academic achievements have already allowed her to diversify her career and Mrs Burns now works as a part-time lecturer at Fife College’s Dunfermline campus in addition to her role at Cromlix Hotel.
She hopes to take on further lecturing opportunities to fulfil her ambition of nurturing the next generation of master bakers and patisserie chefs.
Mrs Burns said: “I left school at 16 and immediately began working in kitchens. I’ve now been a pastry chef for 20 years and have been lucky enough to work with and learn from some really great chefs.
“About five years ago, I started thinking about what else I might want to do and thought that I had a lot to give back and so started college as a way of getting into lecturing.
“It was tough doing these courses while working full-time. I had gone to college when I was an apprentice but it was a bit of a culture shock to go back 25 years later and I really have to thank Ian Gibb and his staff at Perth College, who I shadowed as part of my course, for all the help they gave me.
“I really love lecturing. It’s great to work with younger chefs after all these years and to pass on what I learned.”
Mrs Burns’ husband Drew and youngest daughter Amber, 16, watched with pride as she walked on the stage at the Caird Hall. Her other three children and two grandchildren were unable to attend but plan to join in the celebrations at the family home near Falkirk.
Mrs Burns follows in the footsteps of 99,999 other students who have graduated from the university since it became an independent institution in 1967.
Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Pete Downes congratulated Mrs Burns on her achievement and said the milestone was symbolic of the way Dundee has established itself as one of Scotland’s leading universities.
dhealey@thecourier.co.uk
