Taking place at The Grand Cookery School in York over 12-13th March, the heats will involve 48 front of house (FOH) and back of house (BOH) students. More than 380 students from 46 colleges across the country registered to take part in this year’s competition.

 As well as having to record and upload a 30-second video to YouTube, explaining their passion for hospitality and desire to enter to Toque d’Or, BOH and FOH students were each tasked with a sustainability-based skills challenge.

BOH entrants prepared and cooked a sustainable dish of their choice using a variety of Maggi products, while FOH students created a coffee drink using Nescafé Gold Blend Alta Rica.

Katya Simmons, managing director Nestlé Professional UK&I said: “Now more than ever, the industry needs to come together to inspire the next generation of hospitality leaders and through our two youth programmes, Toque d’Or and the Choose Hospitality Pledge, we hope to achieve just that. 

“Toque d’Or is one of my favourite events in the calendar year. It’s a good reminder of just how much future talent we have to look forward to as an industry. I’m delighted to welcome the 48 shortlisted candidates to the next stage of the competition. 

“This year, the heats has a fantastic judging panel comprising young industry talent like chef Tom Booton, experts from within Nestlé Professional, and former Toque d’Or stars. Contestants are set to experience a learning opportunity of a lifetime, and I wish all of them the best of luck.”

During the heats, BOH competitors will have the opportunity to learn about the importance of plant-based menus while FOH competitors will be able to learn about the art of customer service. View the full line-up in a document below.