Westminster Kingsway College wins Nestle Toque d'Or for third time
Rebecca Heath, Josie Thompson and Chris Davis have succeeded in bringing home the Nestlé Professional Toque d'Or trophy to Westminster Kingsway College for the third time.
The team of three front and back of house students claimed their place in Toque d'Or history at an awards dinner held at London's Dorchester Hotel, where Nestlé Professional managing director, George Vezza, described the finalists as "inspirational".
"We were honoured to be selected as finalists in the competition against some incredible rival teams and to have won has left us speechless with emotion. It is the perfect end to our college careers and the most amazing start to our careers in hospitality."
Josie Thompson, Rebecca Heath, lecturer Vince Cottam and Chris Davis
The judges assessed the teams on their practical and theoretical knowledge and skill, as well as their ability to think on their feet, back each other up as a team and improvise solutions when necessary.
Headed by James Tanner and including former lecturer Andy Stacey, the judging panel selected Westminster Kingsway for its "overall professionalism, wonderful flexibility, highly developed skillsets and clear passion for the industry".
Tanner said: "It takes a special kind of person to commit to a career in hospitality - it can be tough at times and to succeed, future chefs and managers must be able to work under pressure yet still produce a smile at the end of their shift.
"These skills are as important as being passionate about cooking and service and reflect the best of the best delivering the whole package. Every team performed incredibly - you'd never have known that some were just 18 or only had one or two years of experience under their belts - but in the end Westminster Kingsway proved they really had what it takes to go the whole way. We are all sure that they can look forward to very bright futures."
The team from Westminster Kingsway College will receive a range of experiences including working at the Dorchester under Henri Brosi, share in a master-class at Billingsgate and cook and serve for the Sovereigns Parade three-course lunch for 1,000 guests at Sandhurst.
They will also enjoy an outing with Nestlé Professional as guests in its VIP box at the 02 and join a celebratory dinner hosted by Anton Mosimann at Mosimanns of Belgravia.
Nestlé Professional Toque d'Or awards prizes at all stages of the competition from a fund of over £25,000 per year supported by long-standing partners, The Savoy Educational Trust. Prizes are presented to all teams who reach the regional heats and grand finals (the winning team's prize is doubled), to purchase equipment to benefit students.
