At Toque d’Or®, we’re looking to attract fresh talent from around the country with a unique hospitality competition which focuses on illuminating college students potential. We aim to provide the opportunity for ambitious students to take to the grand stage and showcase their creativity, giving them a chance to ignite their futures.
Please read all information and instructions carefully and take note of entry requirements and submission deadlines. The competition format and challenges may change due to unforeseen circumstances. Students and lecturers will be notified of any changes to the competition.
1. HOW TO REGISTER FOR TOQUE D’OR® 2026
DEADLINE: 23:59 on 15.01.26
All students must be registered by a lecturer to take part. As a lecturer, you can register Back of House and Front of House students at levels 2, 3 or 4 (or national equivalent, e.g. levels 5, 6 and 7 in Scotland).
Only students aged 18 - 25 (as of 8th March 2026) will be eligible to progress to the heats stage of the competition.
Please refer to our Entry Guide
Read the competition Terms & Conditions here.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO AS LECTURER: |
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO AS A STUDENT: |
2. COMPLETE THE TASK
DEADLINE: 23:59 on 13.02.26
Participants are required to complete an entry task for either Back or Front of House at their college under the supervision of their lecturer. Subsequently, they will be able to submit their entry virtually after the registrations are closed.
Samples will be delivered to colleges between 19th - 23rd of January 2026. Please refer to our Entry Guide for further information.
All students are eligible to participate in this stage of the competition, but only those between 18 and 25 as of the 8th of March 2026 will be eligible to move to the next stage.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO AS LECTURER: |
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO AS A STUDENT: |
3. THE HEATS
DATES: 09.03.26 to 12.03.26
LOCATION: The Grand Cookery School, York
The National Heats take place across 4 days at The Grand Cookery School, York. Students and lecturers will be contacted by our agency YES to arrange the dates that they will be competing, and to organise their travel and accommodation. Each year, 24 BOH and 24 FOH students are selected to take part in the Heats. From this stage 6 Back of House finalists, and 6 Front of House finalists are selected to advance to the Grand Finals.
4. GRAND FINALS
DATE: 10.05.26 to 14.05.26
LOCATION: TBC
The Grand Finals span several days. During the Grand Finals, 6 Back of House and 6 Front of House students take part in exciting challenges all over the UK, learning new skills, networking with industry peers, and receiving direct feedback from expert judges.
NOTE: At the end of February 2026, we will announce the students shortlisted to the Heats, followed by the announcement of those progressing to the Finals and by end of March 2026. These updates will be shared via email and social media. Please note that only students selected for the Heats and Finals will be contacted directly by our third-party agency, YES, to coordinate arrangements for the next stages of the competition.
5. AWARDS
DATE: 12.06.26
LOCATION: TBC, London
All 12 Toque d’Or® finalists, and their lecturers, will be invited to attend the awards ceremony held in London in June. During the awards, the two Grand Prize Winners of the hospitality competition for 2026 will be announced - one Front of House student and one Back of House student.
6. WINNERS’ TRIP AND PRIZESDATES: First full week of July 2026, exact dates TBC The overall winners of the competition will receive an incredible trip to Scandinavia. The trip will take them to various locations in the region, where they will experience the country's renowned gastronomy and culinary traditions. The winners will have the opportunity to explore Scandinavian cuisine, taste regional specialties, and immerse themselves in the culinary culture of Sweden and Denmark. The trip will take place during the first full week of July 2026 (between 5th – 12th, exact dates and number of days to be confirmed). |
College Prizes
In the past, the Savoy Educational Trust has generously funded prizes for all participating colleges in the Heats, Finals, and Winning stages of our competition.
Historically, these prizes have been redeemed at Russum's, where the colleges had the chance to select top-quality catering equipment to enhance their culinary programs and provide an even better learning experience for their students.
Stay tuned to discover the 2026 college prizes!
Lecturers Prizes
Toque d’Or® 2025 awarded prizes to the lecturers who entered the highest number of Back of House and Front of House students under 18. Each lecturer received a £100 voucher to be redeemed at Russum's. Lecturers of the winning BOH and FOH competitors also received a prize from Nestlé Toque d’Or®, as announced at the Awards. Subject to confirmation for 2026.
Prizes for students who can’t progress to Heats
The three best Back of House and three best Front of House student entries under 18 years old received a £100 voucher prize to be redeemed at Russum's. Subject to confirmation for 2026.
2025 Winners Trip to Italy
