

Nestlé Professional’s Toque d’Or® – the hospitality industry’s most prestigious competition



Welcome to Nestlé Professional’s Toque d’Or®. Launched in 1989, the Toque d’or hospitality competition was born out of a passion for excellence, to inspire the next generation and to provide opportunities to further their knowledge in the hospitality industry.
This prestigious hospitality industry competition aims to educate and test college students and apprentices in both practical, service-based and business-focused tasks. With a focus on providing up-to-the-minute industry expertise and experience, entrants learn key skills in areas such as social media promotion, business management and sustainable food and drink. Not only do these challenges provide valuable hands-on experience but they offer the opportunity to work with and learn from leading industry experts and businesses judging the tasks.
Toque d’Or® hospitality competition: exciting news for 2022!
Last year, we made several changes, adapting the competition to meet the needs of the pandemic. To keep the competition safe while retaining its trademark sense of community, we developed an innovative hybrid model. The Toque d’or competition became a virtual event for the first time ever. Competitors were able to learn and carry out challenges virtually from their own homes. And finalists were given the chance to come to HQ to meet and present to the judging panel – all while adhering to strict COVID guidelines. To help competitors thrive in the ‘new normality’ of the hospitality industry, we adapted the skills on offer too providing masterclasses and learning in key areas like social media promotion and setting up a business from home.

As the industry has evolved, so have we. New for 2022… we’ve got some really exciting updates planned:
- We’re changing our timeline - Heats will now take place in March, the Grand Finals in April and the awards in May!
- Along the same lines as last year, we’ll be retaining a strong digital element to the competition delivery, allowing more competitors to benefit from the content shared.
- We’ll have a few new faces joining our judging panel – watch this space!
The theme of Sustainable Futures remains at the centre of each challenge and will cover elements such as nutrition, health, food waste and seasonality, all while testing the contestants in new areas, techniques and working environments. Check out the Toque d’Or cookbook featuring sustainable recipes from UK’s up and coming talent.
Why enter our hospitality industry competition?
Toque d’Or® is so much more than a competition, it's...
- a unique experience aiming to inspire the next generation of chefs and foodservice enthusiasts
- an exciting challenge helping entrants gain both front and back-of-house experience while developing their skills and knowledge
- an opportunity for students and apprentices to bridge the gap between the classroom and the exciting reality of industry
- entirely free to enter

Find out how to enter the Toque d’Or hospitality 2022 competition, including key deadlines and locations.
The history of Toque d'Or
Now in its 34th year, Nestlé Professional’s Toque d’Or® continues to be recognised as an influential training and development initiative and is unique in its focus on both Back and Front of House staff.

Since its inauguration, the competition has evolved significantly in line with the changing needs of the UK foodservice and education industry
The Nestlé Professional Toque d’Or® college competition began in 1989 and was focused on students at colleges.
In 2017 we opened up the competition to apprentices, as they too are participating in a first-class structured programme.
In 2020, in response to the pandemic, and to ensure that Nestlé Professional can continue to inspire and support the next generation of hospitality professionals, the competition finals and awards were held virtually. Finalists competed in a series of relevant and timely digital challenges, via Zoom working both individually and in pairs to create a mix of pre-recorded and live sessions from their homes.
Roll of honour
Our roll of honour shows the select few students, colleges and apprentices that have won the prestigious Toque d'Or award since it began.
2021 FOH Sophie Taylor, Edinburgh College
2021 BOH Sarah Morton, New City College London
2020 FOH Alex Dick, City of Glasgow College
2020 BOH Katherine Altham, Kendal College
2019 University College Birmingham
2018 City of Glasgow College
2017 University College Birmingham
2016 University College Birmingham
2015 Westminster Kingsway College
2014 City of Glasgow College
2013 South West College
2012 Westminster Kingsway College
2011 University College Birmingham
2010 University College Birmingham
2009 North Devon College
2008 Carlisle College
2007 Blackpool & The Fylde College
2006 South Trafford College
2005 Westminster Kingsway College
2004 Carlisle College
2003 Sheffield College
2002 Neath Port Talbot College
2001 Neath Port Talbot College
2000 Glenrothes College
1999 Southampton City College
1998 Glenrothes College
1997 Bournemouth & Poole College
1996 John Wheatley College
1995 Thanet College
1994 Motherwell College
1993 Colchester College
1992 Thanet College
1991 Brunel College of Technology
1990 Motherwell College
1989 Brighton College of Technology
2021 FOH Georgia Wheatley, University College Birmingham
2021 BOH Kenny Markham, Burnt Lemon/HIT Training
2020 FOH Chelsie Robinson, The Cross Keys Stow
2020 BOH Lily Stock, Boodles
2019 Drew Dawson, The Ned
2018 Mateusz Hnatowski, Restaurant
Associates
2017 Charlie Stockwell, Galvin la Chapelle
2016 Luka Seddon, CH&Co