Organised and judged by the Craft Guild, the three hospitality competitions comprised: culinary arts, confectionary and restaurant service. Each sets out core competencies and standards that candidates should achieve, and are judged and marked on.

The main competition - Culinary Arts - saw chefs showcase their ability to produce high-quality food suitable for customers in a retail dining situation. As such, competitors worked with raw ingredients to create complex and intricate dishes.

They also had the option to be judged on the creative aspect of compiling a menu.

Led by Craft Guild chairman of vice presidents, Stephen Scuffell, the culinary arts competition includes two heats:

• A live heat - chefs complete a series of tasks on a specific day prior to WorldSkills UK
• The UK national final at the NEC Birmingham

Scuffell said: “Congratulations to everyone involved in 2018 UK skills live and to all the young professional competitors.”

2018 medallists include:

• Chloe Lloyd-Hughes, North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College-gold award
• Richard Postles, Cheshire College South and West – silver
• Luke MacKenzie, City of Glasgow College - bronze.

Three more medallists were awarded highly commended.

Meanwhile, the confectionary section focussed on the role and tasks of a patisserie and confectionery chef, testing competitors on eight core competencies. This saw them complete a number of tasks that reflect both modern and traditional patisserie.

City of Glasgow College was honoured with the three medals:

• Ance Kristone - gold
• Naomi Simpson - silver
• Leona Westwater - bronze.

The restaurant service competition covered nine competencies including: preparing and serving dishes suitable for table theatre service in a fine dining restaurant; providing a service for customers in a restaurant dining environment; identifying a range of wines, spirits and liqueurs from a given list.

Winners are as below:

• Karolina Glowacka,City of Glasgow College – gold
• Paulina Skoczek, Gower College Swansea - silver
• Paige Jones, Gower College Swansea - bronz

For more information about entering WorldSkills UK 2019, visit: https://www.worldskillsuk.org/champions/national-skills-competitions/find-a-competition.