Cheered on by a plethora of supporters, chefs, baristas and mixologists gathered for two days of intense competition, giving them the opportunity to showcase their skills and harness their creativity. The Competitions culminated in a Gala dinner where the winners were announced.
View a selection of the photos here.
Amongst the staple challenges such as Barista Skills, Seafood Skills and Mixology, returning for this year was the Breakfast Challenge where chefs were tasked with creating an exciting breakfast dish to showcase their skills and creativity. Federica Laudani from the University of Exeter received Best in Class in the breakfast category. She said:
"When I was making my dish, I was pleased with what I did, but I wasn't expecting to win at all. I'd had this idea that I wanted to do a deep-fried poached egg. It's quite tough to do, so I've been practicing it once a week since January, and I'm really proud of how it turned out. It's my second time at the Competitions."
The Chefs' Challenge saw a remarkable partnership come together to claim the Best in Class title. Nick Denning and Janet Szypillo from the University of Exeter, who have worked together for over 30 years, delivered an outstanding three-course meal. Janet said:
"We're fairly elated. Just absolutely over the moon. There was some very stiff competition. You always have a feeling of who you think the winners will be and we never expected it to be us. We've worked together for over 30 years – and I know he's always got my back. Across the team, everyone that's taken part this year has placed with a medal, which is incredibly special. And it goes to show that if you keep at it and keep trying, eventually good things come."
In the Vegan Challenge, Mark Pilling from the University of Birmingham pushed himself into unfamiliar territory, deliberately choosing a category completely outside his comfort zone. His effort paid off with Best in Class. He said:
"I'm feeling chuffed to bits. I entered a different category last year, but this time I wanted to push the boat out and do something completely out of my comfort zone. Our vice chancellor is vegetarian, but I've not done a great deal of vegan cooking previously, so I thought this would be a great chance to test my skills. I took simple ingredients and turned it into a nice, well executed dish. I can't lie, there were some pretty stressful moments, but this is what makes it worth it - it's brilliant."
Amanda Pettingill, TUCO Chair, says:
"This year's Competitions were truly outstanding. The calibre of competitors was exceptional, and the innovation and passion they brought to their dishes and drinks was inspiring to witness. Our thanks go to everyone who participated, supported the event, and our generous sponsors - their commitment to developing the next generation of hospitality talent is invaluable."
Watch the highlights here:
Take a look at the full list of challenges, and their winners, below.
BARISTA SKILLS CHALLENGE
A live 15-minute competition producing four espressos, four milk or milk alternative drinks and four espresso-based, non-alcoholic specialty drinks.
Best In Class
Nicolas Martin - UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
Best Signature Coffee
Ana Dobre - UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON
Latte Art Smackdown Winner
Milly Dakin - Loughborough University
Gold
Bethan Norton - UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
Nicolas Martin - UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
Keegan Walker - UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
Silver
Milly Dakin - LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY
Lily Waghorn - NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY
Bronze
Cam Reynolds - HARPER ADAMS UNIVERSITY
Francisco Ramon - UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
BEST BURGER CHALLENGE
Competitors had 45 minutes to produce two portions with a twist on the recognised burger offer, using any main filling and ingredients: meat, fish, vegetarian or vegan.
Gold & Best In Class
Szczepan Swierkosz - UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS
Silver
Ethan Matthews - ROYAL HOLLOWAY UNIVERSITY OF LONDON
Caleb Stahlmann - ST MARY’S UNIVERSITY
Christos Mavrozoumis - UNIVERSITY OF READING
Bronze
Edidiong Umotong - IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON
Maddie Selley - KING’S COLLEGE LONDON
Nathanael Ozanne - MID KENT COLLEGE
Daniel Petrie - UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
Monica Dragan - UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW
Ryan Dare - UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK
Ibrahim Daim - UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK
BREAKFAST CHALLENGE
Returning for 2026. Competitors were tasked with creating an exciting breakfast dish to showcase their culinary skills and creativity.
Best In Class
Federica Laudani - UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
Silver
Christopher McDowell - ST MARY’S UNIVERSITY
Federica Laudani - UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
Bronze
Ieuan Phipps-Jones - LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY
Peter Baren - UNIVERSITY OF HUDDERSFIELD
Lucy Stokes - UNIVERSITY OF READING
CHEFS' CHALLENGE
The Chefs' Challenge is for a team of two chefs challenged to cook a three-course meal of two covers in two hours.
Best In Class
Nick Denning & Janet Janet Szypillo - UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
Gold
Lewis Huggins & Chris Bowes - UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON
Rob Hargreaves & Andy Wareing - UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS
Joseph Latham & Ashley Podgers - UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER
Gary Griffiths & Robert Bates - UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
Nick Denning & Janet Szypillo - UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
Silver
Stuart Palmer & Rafal Pietrzak - UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
Bronze
Lewis Linley & Maddie Selley - KING’S COLLEGE LONDON
Mathew O'Connor & Matthew Howe - UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL
Patrick Gordon & Robert McQueen - UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE
Doug Shewan & Ryan Cheyne - UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN
LOVE BRITISH FOOD CHALLENGE
The Love British Food challenge is to deliver two portions of a plated main course using a supplied British protein with suitable garnish and accompaniments. Competitors had 45 minutes to produce two portions of the dish.
Best In Class
Kevin Whitcher - UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON
Gold
Geoffrey Clarke - HARPER ADAMS UNIVERSITY
Kevin Whitcher - UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON
Silver
Nathan Weale - UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
Mathew O'Connor - UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL
Nick Trela - UNIVERSITY OF READING
Robert McQueen - UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE
Bronze
Edidiong Umotong - IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON
Daniel Walker - UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE
MIXOLOGY COMPETITION
Competitors produced 2 identical serves of: a signature cocktail, a mocktail, and a cocktail from a pre-published list of five classic cocktails.
Best In Class
Harrison Wena - IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON
Best Signature Cocktail
Allan Brown - UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK
Gold
Declan Sloan - AYRSHIRE COLLEGE
Harrison Wena - IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON
Silver
Ffion Chambers - AYRSHIRE COLLEGE
Lisandra Amaral - IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON
Bharath Kumar - KING’S COLLEGE LONDON
Bronze
Chloe Drew - UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
Allan Brown - UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK
SANDWICH CHALLENGE
Competitors had 30-minutes to produce two serves of the same sandwich, one for retail which should be presented in suitable to-go disposable packaging and the same sandwich to be presented as if it was to be included on a buffet.
Best In Class
Nicky Stanbury - UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
Silver
Nicky Stanbury - UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
Szczepan Swierkosz - UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS
Bronze
Joanne Passmore - MID KENT COLLEGE
SEAFOOD SKILLS CHALLENGE
Competitors had 45 minutes to produce two portions of a main seafood dish.
Best In Class
Doug Shewan - UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN
Gold
Doug Shewan - UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN
Ally MacDonald - UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
Silver
Federica Laudani - UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
Bronze
Thang Mac - KING’S COLLEGE LONDON
Filomena Urbano - UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL
Christina Kalogeri - UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
VEGAN CHALLENGE
Competitors were tasked with producing a plated vegan dish that will appeal to vegans, vegetarians and meat eaters alike.
Best In Class
Mark Pilling - UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
Gold
Mark Pilling - UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
Silver
Francesca Sicuso - UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL
Nicky Stanbury - UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
Bronze
Thang Mac - KING’S COLLEGE LONDON
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