Hospitality students at North Devon College have been declared the winners of the 2009 Nestle Toque d`Or award in the 21st year of the competition.
The six students - Emma Colwill, Tom Turner, Max Bowen, Karl Partridge, Mike Stern and James Ballantyne (pictured with Anton Mosimann) - picked up their award at an awards ceremony at Indigo2 at London`s O2 arena last Friday (July 10).
Judges were impressed by the team`s menu of Fennel Soup with a Crab Tortellini and Sauce Vierge, Curried Spiced Cornish Monkfish Tail with Red Pepper Sabayon with Cauliflower Puree and Sweet Pickled Vegetables and Apple Trifle with warm Brioche Cinnamon Doughnuts which it created at the final at the BBC Good Food Show Summer in June.
Entrants to the competition are expected to create a `concept` for a restaurant considering all aspects of the business from `kitchen to plate`.
David Field, managing director of Nestle Professional said: "Congratulations to North Devon College - the team is a shining example of the raw talent that we are so keen to identify and nurture through initiatives like Nestle Toque d’Or.
“For many previous winners the competition has provided a springboard for their careers and shaped the future of things to come. I am certain that many of the faces we’ve seen this year will be inspiring and leading the industry in the years ahead.”
North Devon College`s team win a trip to Vevey in Switzerland, the chance to work alongside
chefs Anton Mosimann, Chris Horridge and Alan Murchison and will also be invited to the BBC Good Food Show in November as VIP guests.