A total of 415 students from 45 colleges registered for this year’s competition, showcasing their talent and passion for hospitality in a competitive entry process. To view the names of the 48 colleges with shortlisted students, visit here.
This year, participants faced challenges designed to highlight sustainability and innovation, set by Nestlé Professional’s team of experts and industry leaders.
BOH entrants created and presented a dish using fresh ingredients alongside at least one of the provided Maggi products — Coconut Milk Powder, Rich & Rustic Tomato Sauce, or Béchamel Sauce. Their dish was designed to reflect their local area while supporting a charity of their choice, accompanied by a menu description, visuals and a campaign poster promoting their dish for the charity.
FOH entrants were tasked with crafting a unique hot or iced coffee using NESCAFÉ Azera, along with designing a campaign poster to promote their creation for a community charity of their choice.
Katya Simmons, managing director of Nestlé Professional UK&I, said: “Every year, Toque d’Or inspires and celebrates the next generation of hospitality talent. The creativity and dedication shown by this year’s entrants is truly inspiring, and I’m thrilled to see what they will achieve during the Heats. Competitions like Toque d’Or are vital for equipping students with the skills, knowledge and confidence to excel in this industry.
“Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at Nestlé Professional, and it’s fantastic to see the students embracing this ethos by creating dishes and drinks that not only showcase their technical skills, but also highlight their awareness of responsible sourcing, waste reduction, and giving back to their communities."
The heats will provide participants with invaluable learning experiences, focusing on sustainability, innovation, and excellence in service and culinary skills, while offering them the chance to impress some of the industry’s most respected figures.