Nestle Professional Toque d’Or tackles chef talent shortage

Nestle Professional Toque d’Or, which at 28 years old is one of the longest standing competitions in the Industry, has this year received a record 156 team entries from 68 catering colleges from across the country. Offering life changing experiences to hospitality students, the 2016 competition is set to be fierce.  Those who make it through the paper round will face the Regional Heats and fight for a place in the Grand Finals in March.

With inspiration and support from Toque d’Or industry partners, students will experience the widest and most varied range of ‘real-life’ hospitality scenarios in history of the competition, all based on this year’s theme of Nutrition, Health and Wellness and created to give them the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their future careers.

Managing Director at Nestlé Professional, George Vezza, said: “The Hospitality industry needs young people; they are the lifeblood of the Industry. This is why competitions like Toque d’Or are so important in nurturing talent for the future.  More students than ever are recognising the opportunities Toque d’Or opens up for them and, based on the standard of entries we’ve received, this year’s judges will certainly have their work cut out.”

The competition will be judged by experts from across the Hospitality Industry with a total of 36 teams taking part in the Regional Heats this February.

>>> Read more about Toque d'Or here 

Former Toque d’Or finalists include Bradford College, where Chef Lecturer, Paul Johnson (formerly of The Ritz and The Ivy) has been entering teams for the past three years.

Paul said: “The Toque d’Or process evokes emotion I wouldn’t have thought possible in a competition – student teams tell me it is ‘life-changing’ for them and I can understand this sentiment.

“Whilst the content of Toque d’Or sits alongside the national curriculum, it ignites a passion within young people to go above and beyond what they’re learning in college, and takes skills to a whole new level.  There’s no better way for them to get their foot in the door when it comes to finding a job.  Just look at what past Toque’ entrants have gone to achieve, for example Jamie Oliver and Anton Mosimann – to name but a few.”

This year’s Toque d’Or competition is in partnership with Nestlé Professional’s CHEF range of stocks, fumets and stock bases, which celebrates its 40 years of presence in kitchens worldwide.

For further information go to www.nestle-toquedor.co.uk. You can also find Nestlé Professional Toque d’Or on social media either on Facebook – Nestlé Professional Toque d’Or – or on Twitter @NestleToquedor