Welcome to the home of the Toque d’Or® hospitality competition
Nestlé Professional’s Toque d’Or® competition paves the way for the next generation of hospitality pioneers. The competition is an opportunity for ambitious hospitality students, both front of house and back of house, to showcase their creativity in front of a panel of leading industry experts.
In 2026, Nestlé Professional Toque d’Or® celebrates 38 years of culinary excellence and innovation! Throughout the competition, competitors have the opportunity to sharpen their skills, explore emerging trends, and engage with regenerative farming practices for a more sustainable future.
Front or back-of-house competitors play a key role in delivering innovative, sustainably minded hospitality experiences throughout the competition — from farm to fork and bean to cup — while developing new skills and showcasing their expertise at every stage.
Why enter the Toque d'Or® hospitality competition?
The Toque d'Or competition has opened my eyes to so many career opportunities and I've met loads of inspiring people from the industry. I've had such a great time serving NHS staff, making pizzas for local volunteers and learning new skills. Tom Brassington, Back Of House 2025 Winner | I learnt so much during the Toque d'Or competition about where our food comes from and why healthy soil is so important, how to pair wine with food and what excellent service looks like. It's really boosted my confidence and I could not recommend this competition more! Katie Blundell, Front Of House 2025 Winner |
After 38 years, the Toque d’Or® competition still receives recognition for its influential training and focus on sustainability, and hospitality trends, as well as practical and soft skills.
The history of Toque d'Or® food service
Launched for the first time in 1989, Nestlé Professional Toque d’Or® remains one of the UK’s most prestigious hospitality competitions. Aiming to inspire and educate ambitious college students in the food service industry, Toque d’Or® was born out of a passion for innovation in hospitality.
Since then, the competition has been providing industry-leading training for both Back and Front of House students alongside influential supporters and judges. The challenges differ from year to year, adapting to the latest trends to keep the experience fresh and relevant and allow competitors to develop skills to cover a range of styles. The competition emphasises teamwork and often uses role reversal to give participants a taste of each other’s responsibilities, and foster understanding between Back and Front of House.
With a focus on providing up-to-the-minute industry expertise and experience, Toque d’Or® offers practical and business focused tasks to help participants learn the key skills they need to succeed while working alongside industry experts and businesses.
