Vicky Enderson, chair of judges, commented: "A challenging innovation brief based on classical Escoffier dishes was taken on and we are delighted with our eight teams for the semi-final.”

The semi-final will take place on 19th March at the Gordon Ramsay Academy and a ‘stellar’ line up of judges is being assembled.

David McKown MBE, director of UK Young Restaurant Team of the Year, commented: "An amazing study tour to Paris awaits the winners of the grand final and we look forward to seeing the teams in action.”

The teams selected for the semi-final are:

• Belfast Metropolitan College 
• Cheshire College South and West
• Coleg Cambria  
• Eastleigh College 
• Loughborough College
• North Warwickshire and South Leicester College 
• Suffolk New College 
• The Sheffield College 

For further details on UK Young Restaurant Team of the Year visit: www.restaurantcompetition.co.uk