July 2024
Student chef Rohan takes runner-up spot in prestigious Toque d'Or
By Sean Madden
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Rohan Bragg, a Birmingham College of Food-mentored student working towards his Professional Chef foundation degree, took away the runner-up prize in the grand final of this year's prestigious Nestlé Toque d’Or.
The competition has for almost forty years given ambitious hospitality students the chance to showcase their skills in front of leading industry professionals as they compete in a series of challenges.
This year, the focus was on sustainability, covering topics such as food provenance, regenerative agriculture and how hospitality plays an important role in supporting communities.
Competitors were divided by their expertise in either front of house or back of house operations and curated menus using sustainably-sourced ingredients, all while exploring the principles of sustainable farming and production.
Following an intensive process lasting several months, College of Food lecturer Mathew Shropshall was full of praise for Rohan: "After four stages and over 500 competitors from the UK, Rohan made the final six," he said.
"What an honour to mentor and train another University College Birmingham student into the grand final. That we either win or make the final each year continues to show the quality of staff and students at Birmingham College of Food."
Expert guidance
Competitors received expert guidance from a distinguished panel of judges at the competition.
Two Michelin-starred chef Tommy Banks spearheaded the back of house judging panel alongside his culinary partner, Tom Bell and Nestlé's global executive chef Emmanuel Lorieux.
For front of house, the judging panel was led by winner of the 2023 Gold Service Scholarship and footman at The Royal Household, Jupiter Humphrey-Bishop, along with master barista Christos Sotiros, Nespresso, customer service manager Vincenzo D’Aniello and cocktail expert Nicolas Medicamento.
"The Nestle Toque d'Or competition remains a top student competition to enter and the amazing prizes and development often to these young people is brilliant. Rohan did his family proud, and maintained high levels of professionalism throughout each of the stages."
The competition finalists
Past masters lend a hand
Former Toque d’Or competitors, now ambassadors and judges of the competition, including 2023 finalist, Emily Simkins, 2018 winner, Antonia Macfarlane, 2021 winner, Sophie Taylor, and last year's champion, Joshua Kerr, all contributed invaluable expertise. Drawing from their own experiences as past winners and finalists, the rising industry stars were able to inspire and guide this year’s finalists through the different challenges.
University College Birmingham have a glowing reputation within the competition, regularly making the final stages and winning the grand prize on a record seven occasions.
University College Birmingham is a leading provider of specialist training for the food and hospitality industries, with students learning in our award-winning training restaurant and industry-standard kitchen facilities.
Discover our courses within our Department of Hospitality and Tourism and Birmingham College of Food.
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