At only eighteen, Courtney Thomas has a provincial gold medal under her belt from the Provincial Skills competition in the Baking and Pastry Arts division. She’s also competed at Nationals, and hopes to compete in the WorldSkills competition this year.
But while she’s competing in the kitchen, Thomas is also doing battle on the Cohos Commons as a striker and midfielder on the Trojan women’s soccer team.
She started playing soccer when she was six, and continued to play her entire life, including her high school team and on a minor team.
“I go from nine in the morning until five at night, sometimes without breaks. It’s hard to get in meals. Then, there are soccer practices and I wake up early and work in the morning, and still have to do homework,” said Thomas.
The Baking and Pastry Arts student certainly doesn’t have extra time to spare. She lives in Okotoks and commutes to Fish Creek for work where she is a pastry chef for The Ranch.
When Thomas makes it into Calgary she can be found at school, in classes or running around the soccer field.
Last year, Thomas placed fifth in the National Skills competition in the Baking and Pastry Arts division. “I really wanted to get top three but it’s pushing me to be better,” said Thomas.
This year she wants to win Nationals and advance to the WorldSkills competition to be held in Germany.
Victoria German, Baking and Pastry Arts instructor and one of Thomas’ coaches for Skills, says Thomas could qualify for Worlds.
“We’re starting earlier this time, plus she’ll have a whole extra year of schooling,” said German. “She keeps coming back, she really has the potential.”
Thomas is extremely confident in her abilities. “(I) put in a lot of time and (have) competed the last three years. I’m pretty good under pressure.” said Thomas.