REMARKABLE students saw their talents recognised during a special evening at South Essex College.

The Celebrating Success awards saw 120 students of all ages from its three campuses – in Southend, Basildon and Thurrock–nominated for a range of accolades in their various areas of study.

Angela O’Donoghue, principal, handed out the awards at the annual event, which took place at the Southend campus, in Luker Road, for the first time since joining South Essex College in August last year.

Addressing the audience of students, staff and proud family members, she said: “Our learners come form all walks of life, including young people from 14 upwards, adults of all ages and a huge variety of personal circumstances.

“I hope their success this year will spur them on to even greater achievements in the future.”

This year’s special guest was former South Essex College student Zak Perrin, 21.

After completing his apprenticeship in cookery in 2011, he moved to France to work for Frederic Bau – author, head pastry chef and a director at chocolate school L’Ecole de Valrhona.

Since then, he has also worked at Umia, a fine dining restaurant in the south of France, and cooked for VIPs and celebrity chefs, including Heston Blumenthal.

Zak said: “For me, success is about knowing that at the end of every single day, you’ve achieved something new.

“Challenge yourself, learn a language, run a marathon, apply for that job you’ll never get – because you never know what you can achieve when you push your limits.”