Ayrshire College student Declan Sloan has been crowned the UK’s top Front of House hospitality student after winning the prestigious Nestlé Professional Toque d’Or 2026 competition.
Declan, who is studying SVQ Food and Beverage Level 5 at Ayrshire College, secured the national title following an intensive week of challenges in London, competing against some of the most talented hospitality students from colleges across the UK.
Widely regarded as one of the hospitality industry's most respected student development programmes, Toque d’Or provides aspiring hospitality professionals with the opportunity to test their skills in real-world environments while learning from leading employers and industry experts.
Throughout the Grand Final, competitors faced a series of demanding challenges designed to replicate the pace, professionalism and pressures of the hospitality sector. Hosted at iconic venues including The O2, Borough Market and Teal Restaurant, finalists were assessed on customer service excellence, beverage innovation, sustainability awareness, teamwork and their ability to deliver exceptional guest experiences.
Declan impressed judges throughout the competition, ultimately earning the title of Front of House Champion and national recognition as one of the industry's most promising emerging talents.
Speaking about his success, Declan said:
Winning Toque d’Or is an incredible achievement and something I'm extremely proud
of. The competition pushed me outside my comfort zone, helped me build my
confidence and gave me the opportunity to learn from some of the best people in the
industry.
The experience has shown me what is possible within hospitality and has motivated
me even more to pursue a career in the sector.
Sarah Davidson, Hospitality Lecturer at Ayrshire College, said:
As a lecturer, you hope to inspire your students, but every so often a student comes
along who inspires everyone around them. Watching Declan win the competition was a
moment of immense pride and real recognition of his talent alongside the hard work he
has put in with us at Ayrshire College. He has done us all proud and we are excited to
see where this opportunity takes him!
As part of his prize, Declan will receive a gastronomic study trip to Scandinavia, a £2,000 educational grant from the Savoy Educational Trust and a range of additional industry development opportunities.
Angela Sheridan, Head of Learning & Skills at Ayrshire College, said:
We are absolutely delighted for Declan. To be recognised as the UK’s top Front of
House hospitality student is a remarkable achievement and reflects his talent,
dedication and professionalism.
This success demonstrates the value of giving students opportunities to develop their
skills through real industry experiences. At Ayrshire College, we work closely with
employers to ensure our students gain the knowledge, confidence and practical
experience needed to thrive in their chosen careers, and Declan's achievement is a
fantastic example of that approach in action.
Declan's success also highlights the strength of hospitality education at Ayrshire College. Seven students represented the College in this year's Toque d’Or competition, demonstrating the high calibre of talent being developed to support Scotland's hospitality and tourism sector.
His achievement is not only a personal milestone but also a testament to the power of industry partnerships, experiential learning and the opportunities available to students at Ayrshire College as they prepare for successful careers in a dynamic and growing industry.