THREE catering students learning their craft at a Forest college are following in the footsteps of some of

the industry’s biggest names after making the final of a prestigious competition.

Chefs Toby Darmody and William Wood and front-of-house Shannon Byrne – who are all on the Level Three Professional Dip­loma in Catering at Gloucestershire College at Five Acres – have made it through to the final of the Nestle Torque d’Or competition.

The competition is the toughest test for students and bridges the gap between learning in the classroom and the realities of the industry – previous competitors have included celebrity chefs Jamie Oliver and James Martin.

Toby is from Ross-on-Wye, Shannon lives in Lydney and William is from Westbury and they have made the final six from 156 teams representing 65 UK colleges.

The first round saw them complete a paper entry testing their knowledge of theory and their response to a topical industry question.

They were among 36 teams invited to attend masterclasses and wine tastings with Nestle professional chef Andrej Prokes.

Each team had to prepare and serve a three-course dining lunch for 10 people.

The menu was: a starter of salmon on a purée of broccoli with chargrilled baby gem lettuce and lightly-pickled vegetables, a main of pot-roasted guinea fowl with root vegetables, rosettes of curly kale, hasselback potatoes and a red wine jus. The dessert was a chocolate and lime mousse with lime curd, sesame cream and crumble and dark chocolate ganache.

William said: “The competition was very challenging but rewarding.We can’t believe we got through and are really looking forward to the finals.”

Lecturer Tina Roberts added: “I am extremely proud of the students’ achievement and excited for the experience they will have competing at the final and the challenges ahead of them.

“All three students demonstrated brilliant skill, teamwork, commitment, dedication and hard work.

“Not only does the competition provide an opportunity for excellent work experience and employment opportunities but they also got to meet and learn from some aspirational master chefs.”

The final will be held over four days later this month in Maidenhead where they will be presented with a range of real-life challenges and the winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in April.