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The heat is on...
The Nestlé Professional Toque d’Or® Competition has always aimed to set the bar for student catering competitions, through an innovative programme of challenges that directly aligns to the national curriculum, and oɲers genuine value to competitors. After 27 years of success, the organisers have continued to shake up the format, with the help of a number of a starry list of ambassadors including Loch Fyne, Firmdale Hotels, The Wolseley and Michelin-starred chef Simon Hulstone. This unique line-up reÁects the growing importance of developing youth skills and training the next generation in the hospitality industry. Across the UK 108 bright young people have been getting ready for their big moment, when they will compete in the 27th Nestlé Professional Toque d’Or®
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Competition Heats. Each team of three knows there are only six team places up for grabs in the Finals, where they will be in with a chance to take home the now famous Nestlé Professional Toque d’Or® trophy. If they make it they will join an elite alumni of past competitors, who include Michelin starred chefs, innovative operators, business owners and renowned names including Anton Mosimann. The stakes are high, the reward invaluable. For this year’s Heats competitors a world of unknown challenges awaits, as the Nestlé Toque d’Or® organisers have spiced proceedings up with new twists and turns. Each Heats team will be put through its paces during a series of Masterclasses, where the students will be asked to replicate what they have learnt and tested on their ability to absorb new
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information and think on their feet. It will be an experience that gives them a varied taste of what their exciting hospitality career will entail. Daunting though the Heats may seem, the Nestlé Toque d’Or® organisers believe this new way of doing things will allow the students to focus on the learning and development experiences on oɈer, ensuring the competition is truly of value to each entrant. A record-breaking 36 teams - attracted by the life changing experience that Nestlé Professional Toque d’Or® oɈers Äercely competed for a place in the Grand Finals that is a beacon for top talent and youth skills in catering. According to Managing Director of Nestlé Professional® UK & Eire, Neil Stephens, 2015 has seen an