Nestlé Professional calls for entries for 35th Toque d'Or

Nestlé Professional has opened applications for the 35th edition of the Toque d'Or competition with back and front of house students on Levels 2, 3 and 4 urged to complete their entry before the 31 March deadline.

Sustainability is the theme for the competition and competitors will be able to explore culinary trends and learn about sustainable farming. Entrants will create sustainably-sourced menus at every stage of the competition, giving them the skills and creativity to overcome sustainability challenges in the culinary world.

This year's winners will enjoy a culinary trip to Brazil, sampling high-end gastronomy through to street food, and learning about sustainability on a bean to cup journey with the world's biggest coffee producer. They will also sample the gastronomic scene of São Paulo, learn about coffee and sustainability in Espírito Santo, and be able to sightsee in Rio de Janeiro, as well as visiting a flavour development lab and coffee farm, part of the Nescafé Plan, to learn about regenerative agriculture and coffee.

Katya Simmons, managing director, Nestlé Professional UK&I, said: "Toque d'Or has gone from strength to strength over the last 35 years and it's a delight to shine a light on the talent in the hospitality industry. It's fantastic to see how well past winners and entrants are doing now: testimony to their dedication and innate qualities, but also to the skills and confidence they gained during the competition."

"Times are still incredibly tough in the industry, and it's important not just to encourage and support young talent, but also to show them the exciting opportunities on offer in our industry. Toque d'Or is our regular opportunity to do this. And this year, we're pulling out the stops to make it as memorable and inspiring as ever – for competitors, for the industry, and for everyone involved delivering the competition."

"This year, our commitment to young people and the industry extends beyond Toque d'Or, and to encourage more young talent to consider hospitality careers, we've launched our Choose Hospitality Pledge. We're galvanising the industry to challenge negative perceptions of hospitality careers in secondary schools across the country, collaborating with industry leaders Careerscope, Springboard and Choose Hospitality alongside a growing number of leading hospitality businesses."

Click here to register and find out more about the competition, training, format and timeline.