Students compete in Nestlé Professional Toque d'Or 2016 finals

Student hospitality teams from across the UK competed in the Nestlé Professional Toque d'Or 2016 competition earlier this month, but the winning team will remain a secret until June.

Held over four days across different locations in London including Westminster Kingsway College, Bill's restaurants and Hospitality House, the young stars demonstrated their talent to the judges in a series of tasks.

This year's competition was based on the theme of nutrition, health and wellness and teams were given the opportunity to work with the likes of James Tanner and Simon Hulstone.

The six finalist teams were City of Glasgow College, Gloucestershire College, Sheffield City College, University College Birmingham, University of Derby Buxton and York College.

Challenges included creating and serving a three-course menu at a gala dinner in the capital for 48 guests with front of house training from ETM Pub Group; covering a lunch and dinner service at Bill's; taking part in a nutrition masterclass with writer and nutritionist Amanda Ursell and a desserts masterclass led by development pastry chef and former Toque d'Or contestant Thomas Leatherbarrow and The Caterer.

George Vezza, managing director of Nestlé Professional, said: "If this is the future of our industry, we are in good hands."

Tanner, Toque d'Or, chairman of judges described the students' performances as exemplary.

He said: "For me, Toque d'Or is vital in supporting the industry. The ethos of the competition is about nurturing students and they're the future. It takes young people, puts them under pressure, brings them out of themselves and opens their eyes to the opportunities that are out there."

He added: "With nutrition being such a key topic in the industry today, it is absolutely vital for tomorrow's chefs and managers to be at the forefront of the health and wellbeing agenda. Nutrition has been a big focus for this year's competition, and we hope it has given the students inspiration to continue to drive the agenda forward, and to help shape the health and wellbeing of future generations."

The winning team will be revealed at the gala dinner in June.

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