19th March 2024

Nestlé Professional reveals 12 Toque d’Or competition finalists

Written by: Edward Waddell
Nestlé Professional has announced this year’s Toque d’Or competition finalists following an ‘action-packed’ heats round which saw 48 students go head-to-head in a series of challenges across two days at The Grand Cookery School in York.

Back of House (BOH) competitors were tasked with replicating a nutritious and sustainable plant-based main course created by executive chef Tom Booton who in 2019 became the youngest chef to head up the kitchen at The Grill at The Dorchester. Garden Gourmet’s pulled fillet was used as the hero ingredient in his dish.  

BOH competitors created a gastro pub style dessert using Nestlé Professional’s range of branded dessert ingredients, after watching a masterclass from Nestlé’s senior confectioner John Costello and Cherrytree Bakery’s new product development manager Martin Hargreaves.  

 Back of House finalists:

  • Daisy Glasper, Newcastle 
  • Geraldine Sierra Torres, Westminster Kingsway 
  • Amy Phillips, Cheshire 
  • Lauren Laird, Perth 
  • Ryan Isidro, Westminster Kingsway 
  • Rohan Bragg, University College Birmingham 

Front of House competitors served these dishes to 48 guests during lunch service across the two-day challenge together with wine and coffee. Supporting the students with a masterclass in wine and customer service were former FOH Toque d’Or winners, Antonia MacFarlane and Sophie Taylor. 

 Front of House finalists:

  • Emma Bancroft, Coleg Cambria 
  • Jasmine Ferdinando, York 
  • Ashton Eaton-Preece, Loughborough 
  • Maja Mazurkiewicz, Loughborough 
  • Dylan Alexander, Ayrshire 
  • Ryan James, Coleg Cambria 

Katya Simmons, managing director Nestlé Professional UK&I, said: “We were delighted this year to host the heats at The Grand Cookery School, a perfect venue for any budding chef or restaurateur to learn and develop their skills.

“Guided by our team of expert judges, the competitors set an incredible standard across both days and the high-level of talent on display was truly impressive. Our 12 finalists are in for an incredible experience during finals week, so I wish them the very best of luck and most importantly, to enjoy and make the most of their experience.” 

The grand finals will take place from 21-25th April 2024, with the winners announced during the Awards lunch on Friday 7th June 2024.