Finalists announced for Nestlé Professional Toque d'Or Apprentice competition
The Nestlé Professional Toque d'Or Apprentice competition, which is open to all hospitality craft apprentices, has today revealed the names of its six 2017 finalists.
The competition has been designed alongside partners HIT Training, People 1st and chef Simon Hulstone. The competitors were set the challenge of creating a main course dish that demonstrated "nutrition, health and wellness", and that included fresh produce and a variety of Nestlé Professional ingredients.
Three national heats were held last week at Hospitality House, London, where the apprentices were asked to reproduce their signature dishes for the judges.
The six successful apprentices (whose dishes are pictured clockwise from top left) are:
Hollie Parry, the Kentish Hare
John Howarth, the Mansion House (CH&Co)
Charlie Stockwell, Galvin La Chappelle
Gabriel Florea, Sofitel London Gatwick
Luke Moloney, RMA Sandhurst
Charlotte Silvester, Ettington Park Hotel
The six finalists will now go through to the grand finals in London from 21-23 March, and the final winning apprentice will be named at the Toque d'Or awards held at the Dorchester Hotel, London on 12 May.
George Vezza, managing director of Nestlé Professional, said: "The development of the Nestlé Professional Apprentice competition heralds a new era, recognising the growing importance of vocational training in hospitality; with the apprentices coming up through the competition going on to be the decision-makers of tomorrow."
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