Hospitality Student takes Top Prize at Toque d’Or

City of Glasgow College HND Hospitality Management student, Tara Humphrey, has won Front of House at this year’s Nestlé Professional Toque d’Or.

As one of the winners, Tara will be taken to the Worldchefs’ Congress & Expo in Abu Dhabi in June, and spend a gastronomic weekend in Dubai. This year, the Toque d’Or competition saw over 400 Back Of House and Front Of House workers registered to compete, representing 50 colleges and businesses from across the UK.

The 19-year-old, from Auchterarder, is also in the running for UK Young Restaurant Team of the Year and is delighted to have won at Nestlé Professional Toque d’Or, saying:

“I am over the moon. Winning Toque d’Or is massive, and such a great confidence booster. It’s been an unbelievable experience and I’ve learned so much from taking part. I now have the finals of the Young Restaurant Team of the Year to look forward to, as well as the trips to Abu Dhabi and Dubai.”

The grand finals, with a theme of balanced diets and sustainable futures, consisted of a week of challenges where Tara and the other eight finalists had to demonstrate their talent. They then had to deliver a three-course fine dining menu to 50 VIP guests including the Toque d’Or judges. This final challenge gave competitors the opportunity to put into practice the knowledge and skills they learnt during the week.

Jane Carr-Gomm, Associate Dean for Hospitality and Tourism at City of Glasgow College, said:

“This is a fantastic achievement for Tara and reflects her skill, professionalism and work ethic. Toque d’Or is a high profile competition, respected throughout the industry so Tara should be rightly very proud of this accomplishment. Taking part in such competitions create the ideal testing ground for our students, challenging them to perfect their sills and techniques, and providing a valuable high-pressure learning experience.”

June will be a busy month for Tara as the finals of UK Young Restaurant Team of the Year take place on Wednesday 29. The winners, who will be announced at an Awards Dinner on Thursday 30, will enjoy a study trip to Lyon including a visit to Institute Paul Bocuse, the leading hospitality, restaurant and culinary arts management school in France.

Tara, who attended Glenalmond College in Perth, is in the first year of her HND which she will complete next year.

“Safe to say I was absolutely not expecting this when I came to City of Glasgow College,” adds Tara. “They have encouraged me to just go for it and I’m so glad I have, as it's paid off incredibly well. I aim to keep working hard, gain some more qualifications to further increase my knowledge in the industry, and hopefully become a manager in a top restaurant. “Who knows I might open my own!”