Alumni Profile: Sophie Stanek

Culinary entrepreneur, Sophie Stanek was a student at d'Overbroeck's from 1999 to 2003, a time she remembers fondly. Whilst she was with us she successfully completed her GCSEs before studying Politics, Economics and Business Studies at A level.

Having read Law at university she then changed direction and attended Leiths School of Food and Wine. After graduating from there Sophie set up 'Sophie Stanek Food & Events,' a catering business based in Oxfordshire. Sophie had always harboured a desire to start her own business but like many thought it was beyond her - something only other people did. But nevertheless she took the plunge. "Simply starting it," she says, "has been a huge achievement." And now, less than a year later, things are going really well. Sophie's focus right from the start has been, "to produce wonderful food using the best seasonal, local produce possible, along with meat that is high welfare and locally bred."And judging by her success, it seems that her focus is paying off.

So what has been the most rewarding aspect of starting the business? "Seeing people enjoying my food. Whether it's friends or clients it's very rewarding." And how did her time at d'Overbroeck's help her in achieving what she has so far? "I think I learnt to see the wider picture," she says. "Instead of being solely restricted to the curriculum we were taught to think outside the box.

To find out more about Sophie Stanek Food & Events, visit her website.