A hospitality and catering student at Tameside College has reached the semi-finals of a national cookery competition.

Aaron Greenhalgh, a former Rayner Stephens High School pupil, who now studies a level 3 in food and beverage service, took part in the Nestlé Toque d’Or competition.

Launched in 1989, the competition pits college students and apprentices against one another in a series of hospitality related challenges. It aims to provide students with hands on experience of working with business partners and develop skills such as sustainability.

To reach the semi-finals of the competition, Aaron took part in a series of heats, which included table layup, creating cocktails and mocktails, customer service, wine serving alongside using social media to record his journey.

Aaron was one of only 20 other competitors, from the 4,000 applicants to reach the semi-finals, which took place at Nestlé’s UK head office in Gatwick. During this part of the competition, entrants were asked to create a vegan and vegetarian meal using only limited ingredients and then pair this with a drink of their choice.

Aaron said: "Being a part of Toque d'Or 2022 has been one of the greatest experiences I have had the pleasure of taking part in. It was amazing to meet talented young people in the industry, learn new skills from incredible experts and reaching a level of confidence that I never would have had before going into this competition and reaching the semi-finals.”

John Holden, hospitality and catering teacher at Tameside College, said: “To see Aaron take part in the Nestlé Toque d’Or competition is a massive moment of pride for what we do here at the college. But also to see him grow in confidence and progress through the heats so well was amazing.”

To find out more about hospitality and catering courses at Tameside College, visit www.tameside.ac.uk or call 0161 908 6600.

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