The Sheffield College student wins a Nestlé Toque d’Or Grand Finals place

A @sheffcol student has won a place in the @NestleToquedor Grand Finals.

Jessica Nicholson is one of 12 finalists in the prestigious national culinary competition and will compete in the front-of-house category.

Jessica, 16, is completing a BTEC Level 3 in Hospitality and Events Management at the College’s City Campus, on Granville Road.

She said: “I am so excited to have made it through to the Nestlé Toque d’Or Grand Finals. It’s an amazing achievement and I am looking forward to the experience. I know the competition will be tough but I hope to make the College and myself proud.”

Maxene Gray, Course Director, BTEC Level 3 Hospitality and Food Service, The Sheffield College, said: “It takes a great deal of time and dedication to be able to compete in this special competition. The experience that Jessica will have, and the people she will meet, will help provide her with a secure foundation to go further in our industry.”

She added: “Jessica’s enthusiasm, personality and work ethic have shone through in her coursework as well as in live and virtual lessons during the last year. Although Jessica didn’t have any previous experience in the industry, what she did have was the passion and drive to learn and that is all I needed to mentor her.”

During the previous stage of the competition, front-of-house competitors had to create a non-alcoholic, mixed drink based on a high-quality Jasmine green tea. Jessica’s idea involved linking a drink, the Pink 6, to the World Snooker Championship.

The Grand Finals will take place in person, government guidelines permitting, from June 28th until July 2nd, 2021. The winners will be announced during a live awards presentation on YouTube on July 30th, 2021.

This year’s prestigious Nestlé Toque d’Or saw a record-breaking 956 entries from 40 colleges and 40 businesses with 112 competitors in the first heat including back and front of house students, apprentices and young professionals.