Toque d’Or 2026 winners get immersed in Scandinavian cuisine on prize trip

Nestlé Professional’s Toque d’Or 2026 winners have returned from their prize trip across Denmark, Sweden and Norway, where they explored the people, places and experiences shaping Scandinavian hospitality.

The one-week trip offered the Scottish duo, City of Glasgow College’s Nathan Derek Short and Ayrshire College’s Declan Sloan, an opportunity to develop their skills, broaden their perspectives and gain inspiration for their future careers.

The trip began with barista training at Zoégas in Helsingborg, Sweden, followed by a visit to Malmö and a sensory experience at the Disgusting Food Museum before a meal at Bullen. 

In Copenhagen, the winners took part in a Suba Knives experience and met the Danish Bocuse d’Or team. Further highlights included exploring the streets of Copenhagen, taking part in a canal tour, and enjoying an immersive culinary experience at French-Nordic fusion Michelin-star restaurant, the Samuel. 

Short and Sloan then travelled to Dragsholm Slot, a luxury castle hotel in Denmark, where they had lunch at the Stable before visiting farmer Søren Wiuff. There, they explored the wide variety of vegetables, fruits and herbs grown for the fine-dining industry, including edible hemp, which later featured in one of their dishes. The visit was followed by a kitchen tour, storytelling session and herb walk with chefs Rasmus and Gustav, before a fine-dining experience at Michelin-starred restaurant Dragsholm Slot Gourmet.

The final stage of the trip took them to Stavanger, Norway, joining a guided city walk and eating dinner at Grill & Berkel. The last full day saw a private boat safari through the fjords, followed by lunch at the city’s fish market.

Back of House winner Short said: “The trip showed me just how diverse the hospitality industry is and how many opportunities it offers. Meeting the Danish Bocuse d’Or team and going behind the scenes in some incredible kitchens was hugely inspiring. The organisation, attention to detail and respect they have for their craft are qualities I’ll take back into my own career.

“I also believe experiences like this help show the next generation what modern hospitality is really about – passionate, supportive professionals working together to achieve exceptional standards. The more we can showcase that side of hospitality, the more young people we’ll inspire to see it as an exciting and rewarding career.”

Front of House winner Sloan added: “My Toque d’Or experience has completely changed the way I think about hospitality and the career opportunities available. Not only through my time competing, but also during our trip across Scandinavia, where I saw just how many different career paths exist within the industry. 

“It also highlighted how important it is for the industry to continue creating opportunities for young people to step outside their comfort zones, ask questions and immerse themselves in new experiences, because that’s where confidence and inspiration can grow. I’ve come home with a much broader perspective, greater confidence in my own abilities and a real excitement for where a career in hospitality could take me.”

Lorenzo Viganò, managing director of Nestlé Professional UK&I, believes that the competition is about “helping emerging hospitality talent build confidence, broaden their horizons and understand the diverse career opportunities available within our industry”.

He added: “This year’s winners’ trip gave Nathan and Declan access to exceptional food, drink and hospitality experiences across three countries, from specialist skills training and craftsmanship to Michelin-starred dining and Scandinavian approaches to service.

“They have shown enormous talent and professionalism throughout the competition, and it’s exciting to know their Toque d’Or experience has inspired them to continue learning, challenging themselves and making their mark on the industry.”