Nestlé Professional crowns 2026 Toque d’Or champions
Nestlé Professional has revealed the winners of the 38th edition of its hospitality competition Toque d’Or, following the Grand Finals Week.
Nathan Derek Short from City of Glasgow College has been crowned back-of-house (BOH) champion, and Declan Sloan from Ayrshire College has taken the front-of-house (FOH) title.
Each winning college received an additional £1,000 in prize funding, awarded through the Savoy Educational Trust’s wider £21,200 grant, which will go towards supporting catering education and help nurture the next generation of hospitality talent.
This year also saw the return of the Nestlé Professional Green Spatula Award, launched in partnership with The World Association of Chefs’ Societies (Worldchefs), recognising finalists who demonstrated exceptional commitment to sustainability and environmentally responsible hospitality practices. Lewis Mclemen from Loughborough College received the BOH award, while Joshua Trott from Loughborough College was awarded the FOH accolade.
Mentored by a panel of judges, led by chef Sally Abé (above right) and Andy Downton, the final 12 showcased their creativity, technical skills and passion across four days of challenges. Designed to reflect the realities and future of hospitality, Grand Finals Week, which took place from 11 to 14 May, focused on sustainability, English provenance, innovation and guest experience.
"Spending time with the Toque d’Or finalists this year left me feeling genuinely optimistic about the future of hospitality," says Abé, chef and owner of Teal by Sally Abé. "The standard was exceptionally high, but what impressed me most was their curiosity, resilience and willingness to push themselves outside their comfort zones. Programmes like Toque d’Or are so important because they give young people real world experience, build confidence and showcase the incredible opportunities our industry can offer. It was a privilege to play a small part in their journey."
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