When Ben Christopherson was travelling, shortly after going to catering college, he knew he wanted to work in pastry - but nobody would let him have a go.



"On the continent they just would not let you in the pastry kitchen if you didn't have experience or a qualification. I didn't have either of those," he tells Elisa Roche in this episode of the Career Conversations podcast series, made in association with the University of West London (UWL).



But Ben says that experience is what drove him to get some qualifications in patisserie and go on to have a hugely successful career as a Head Pastry Chef.



He ended up working at places like the luxury Goring Hotel, Harrods, and eventually launching his own business.



All of that experience feeds into the work he does now as a lecturer in Food Studies and Hospitality at UWL.



Ben describes the role as being a mix of teaching, competition training, creating new modules, liaising with industry, and of course, some admin.



He says the variety is what he loves abut the job: "There aren't two or three days that are the same."



Ben is also leading a brand new course at UWL that puts sustainability at the heart of cooking and eating. Future Food and Culinary Management covers all sorts, including how to create plant-based menus, learning how to source food responsibly, and following new eating trends that won’t harm the planet.



Ben says one module focusses solely on pastry, but using only plant-based ingredients: "Patisserie and bakery lend themselves really well to using plant-based alternatives."



And the course is not just aimed at people who want to become traditional kitchen chefs. Students go on to do all sorts of jobs from teacher to chocolatier, and development chef to entrepreneur. 



Listen to the full episode to find out more about Ben's varied past, why he ensures his course takes a holistic approach to learning, and how the UWL can help students with work placements.




Ben Christopherson, Course Leader and former Pastry Chef, University of West London



Ben is a lecturer in Food Studies and Hospitality, and Course leader in Future Food and Culinary Management at the University of West London. 



During this period he has co-authored on Practical Cookery, travelled as a guest lecturer to Malaysia, led international culinary competitions to Paris and been invited on a culinary tour of Spain, by the Spanish Institute of Foreign Trade. 



His research investigates customer acceptance of plant-based alternative ingredients, focusing on their chemical and physical properties. Prior to his academic work he had a successful career as an international pastry, chef culminating in running his own company with products being sold in Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Selfridges and developing items for Cadburys Cocoa House. 



His current academic focus concentrates on the practical application of sustainability within culinary education.  



BSc (Hons) Future Food and Culinary Management at UWL - what you need to know





Study Options: Full-time, Full-time with placement, Part-time

Duration: 3 years, 4 years, or 4.5 years

Location: West London

Entry Requirements: 112 UCAS points from level 3 qualifications (can include A-levels, BTEC Extended Diploma, HE Diploma)

Mature Students: If you don't have the above qualifications but do have work experience, you can still apply

Fees: £9,250 per year for UK students. £13,250 for international students.

Start date: September 2022


Find out everything you need to know about the course and apply on the University of West London website.



Get to know Ben - 5 Quick Questions




What’s your career highlight so far?



"Probably when I ran my own business and got my products into Selfridges. I was quite pleased with myself then. It was around the Royal wedding and I made a mini white chocolate wedding cake. It was featured in Vogue magazine as well."




What would you like to see the industry at large doing more of?



"It wo