In total 38 competitors took part in the National Heats stage of the competition putting into practice everything they had learned so far on balanced diets. The Grand Finals week includes ‘exciting challenges and opportunities’ around the Sustainable Futures theme allowing competitors to develop a variety of skills.

Katya Simmons, managing director of Nestlé Professional UK&I, said: “We were delighted this year to have a live Heat stage of the competition and again the standard was incredible. The talent the competitors displayed was overwhelming and everyone who has taken part should be very proud. They are all a credit to the hospitality industry. Good luck to our nine finalists, they are all in for a very exciting Final’s week.

The 9 finalists are:

Back of House Apprentices:

• James Shuttleworth - The Tower Hotel
• Connor Anderson - The White Hart
• Matthew Mansell - Sheffield college

Back of House Students:

• Samantha Watkins - Loughborough College
• Krisztina Nagy - City of Glasgow College
• Michael Doogan - Edinburgh College

Front of House Students:

• Antony Avellan - The City of Liverpool College
• Tara Humphrey - City of Glasgow College
• Joshua McCafferty - Hugh Baird College

The competition will be judged by MasterChef: The Professionals, The Festive Knockout winner Louisa Ellis, well-respected sommelier and wine expert Raul Diaz as well as guest judges.

This year winners will be taken to attend the Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2022 in Abu Dhabi as well as a gastronomic weekend in Dubai. The Savoy Education Trust will also be providing £1,000 for each of the colleges taking part in the Grand Finals and £2,500 for the winning colleges to be used to purchase equipment from Russums.