Budding teenage chef Juliana d'Estelle-Roe has achieved a double first ? she has become the first Bermudian and first woman to begin mastering the art of sushi making.

Ms d'Estelle-Roe, 17, has been studying how to prepare the Japanese delicacy under the guidance of chefs at the MEF group's L'Oriental restaurant for the past month.

"Last June I went to Chef Search and found out about the apprenticeship, which is a programme that the National Training Board offers," Ms d"Estelle-Roe said.

"I got an apprenticeship and was meant to be working at the Southampton Princess. Due to Hurricane Fabian they had to find a placement for me for the winter and MEF took me on."

She is set to return to The Southampton Princess for training in March.

Ms d'Estelle-Roe attended Warwick Academy and is taking classes part time at Bermuda College including nutrition, sanitation, and culinary maths.

"I am looking to go to the Culinary Institute of America or Johnson & Wales in the future."

She said she is enjoying her three year long apprenticeship so far.

On Sundays she makes pastry at the Fourways Inn restaurant.

She hopes to travel to Europe to gain more experience in the culinary arts after she graduates from culinary school.

"Is is important to get your papers if you want to become an executive chef."

MEF Group Director of Training Dale Butler said: "We are very impressed with her attitude.

"To the best of our knowledge she is the first Bermudian and female to be trained in making sushi. We hope she will complete her training and get her certificate from The Bermuda College.

"I don't want her to get five years down the road and not be able to be promoted."

The MEF Group is always looking for young Bermudian's said Mr. Butler.

"But we are very reluctant to take them without formal training. We don't reject them but later they will realise they should have taken our advice on getting the training."

Mr. Butler praised Ms d'Estelle-Roe and said: "If we could find more like her the industry would be revived."