Toque d’Or goes digital for 2020

Nestlé Professional has announced Toque d’Or Digital, a virtual version of the prestigious competition.

Twenty-four front and back of house finalists will compete in a series of digital challenges, consisting of a mix of practical, service-based and business-focused tasks, focusing on areas such as social media, business management and sustainable food and drink.

The theme of sustainable futures will be at the centre of each challenge, all while testing the contestants in new areas, techniques and working environments.

The competition has been adapted so that the finalists can develop their skills and further their careers, with educational challenges taking place between 10-14 August.

Katya Simmons, managing director of Nestle Professional UK & Ireland, said: “When we postponed the finals back in March, our focus was to ensure that the rescheduled finale would meet the demands of the situation we found ourselves in, but also that it would provide a new level of challenge and range of skills for our finalists to test themselves with.

"We are delighted with the innovation that our team has shown to construct a final fitting of the Toque d’Or name. We wish all of our competitors the best of luck and hope they enjoy the occasion that they have worked so hard to be a part of.”

Adam Bateman, culinary director for the Grand Hotel Birmingham and head of judges for Toque d’Or 2020, added: “Our aim with the Toque d’Or competition has always been to challenge the contestants and provide them with a broad range of skills that can be used to further their careers in the hospitality sector. The rescheduling of the finals gives us the opportunity to push them, and the judging team, even further with a wider range of digital challenges at home, and we are excited to see how the finalists take on these tasks.

"On behalf of the judging team, I would like to say congratulations to our contestants for getting this far and we look forward to seeing how you embrace this new digital challenge.”

To support the contestants through the process alongside Bateman, the panel of judges includes: restaurateur, James Tanner, chef Ruth Hansom; Alison Taffs, owner at Allison Taffs People Development and the Grape Society; and Robert Smith, creative director and producer at Shuttersmith.

For more information on the competition, visit www.nestleprofessional.co.uk/toque-dor