Apprentice Drew Dawson Crowned Winner of Toque D’or® 2019
Jun 25 2019
Last week, the winner of the 2019 Nestlé Professional Toque d’Or® competition was revealed as chef apprentice, Drew Dawson. Drew, aged 23, had reason for double celebration as in the same week he also received a Distinction – the highest mark – in his Commis Chef apprenticeship, which he completed at The NED London, part of the Soho House Group.
Now in its 31st year, Toque d’Or® is one of the UK’s most influential industry competitions, bridging the gap between the theories of the classroom, work-based learning and the exciting reality of the industry. Drew competed against the 400 applications to this year’s contest and was ultimately crowned the winner after a four-day grand finale. The four rounds of the final included:
WSET Level One training (and exam) at English vineyard Denbies followed by wine tasting and a tour of the vineyards and wine cellars
Fast-paced shifts under the watchful eye of chef James Tanner at unique dining and drinking venue, Smiths of Smithfield
Recreating and serving a three-course fine dining sustainable menu developed by Simon Hulstone at the luxurious Kimpton Fitzroy Hotel
Harvesting vegetables before creating a sustainable vegetarian dish at Watts Farm in Dartford.
Speaking at the award ceremony, Drew said: “I’m absolutely over the moon! It’s an experience of a lifetime and I’m so lucky to have been given this opportunity. Competitions like this show just how supportive the industry is, giving young people the opportunity to do great things. I think the best part of the competition was meeting the farmers and really understanding the supply chain and how everything fits together.”
Commenting on Drew’s fantastic achievements, Jill Whittaker, Managing Director of HIT Training, said: “The team at HIT and I are beyond thrilled for Drew, not only has he competed at and won one of the sector’s most prestigious and tough competitions, but he has also been awarded a Distinction in his Commis Chef apprenticeship.
“At HIT, we develop apprenticeship programmes designed to provide learners with a wide breadth of skills and experience that not only helps them in their current roles but provides them with the knowledge and expertise to build a successful career in the hospitality industry. It’s an honour to see apprentices like Drew go on to achieve great things and it really highlights the value in high-quality training.”
The theme of the 2019 Toque d’Or® competition is Sustainable Futures, which aimed to raise awareness of the future of the foodservice industry and covered menu, operational and career sustainability.
For more information on HIT Training’s Chef Academy, click here.
Related articles
John Hyde Scoops Special Recognition Award
Future-Proof Your Business and Save Big: National Insurance Savings for Employers of Apprentices Under 25
Chopping Boards to Boardrooms: The Benefits of Apprenticeships at Any Career Stage
Research Reveals a Positive Change in Perceptions of Hospitality Careers
HIT Training Launches Suite of Training Courses and Workshops to Upskill Hospitality Teams
The Newt in Somerset Unveils ‘Elevate’ – A Bespoke Hospitality Academy in partnership with HIT Training
New Graduate Apprenticeship Launched to Build Future Hospitality Leaders
Hospitality Employers Back Shorter Apprenticeships as HIT Launches New Working Group
HIT Training and The Clink Charity announce new partnership to launch apprenticeships for serving prisoners
Medals All Round for our Fired Up Four!
HIT Training Receives Matrix Accreditation
Helping Young People Into Work: every employer can do one thing
The Young National Chef of the Year Finalists Have Been Revealed
HIT Training Ltd strengthens its board with four new Directors
All Change – It’s Time to Reserve Your Apprenticeship Funding!
HIT Training Ltd Receives ‘Good’ Ofsted Rating for 14th Consecutive Year
HIT Training Ltd Wins Prestigious Apprenticeship Provider of the Year Award for the Second Consecutive Year
Helping Neurodiverse Professionals Succeed in Hospitality
It’s ‘Time to Talk’
HIT partners with Hospitality Jobs UK to form new recruitment partnership
HIT Training Ltd Signs New Business Drive to Help The Nation Through COVID-19 Crisis
HIT Training Ltd announces new Managing Director Mike Worley
HIT Training Named in Times Top 100 Best Companies to Work for
The Benefits of Learning at Work for your Business and Workforce
HIT Training Ltd. Publishes White Paper on Apprenticeship Reforms and Workforce Development
HIT’s UnTapped Brewer Competition is back for 2025
HIT Training Ltd scoops the award for Best Training Provider at the prestigious Apprenticeship Guide Awards
Crunch Time: Over Half of Hospitality Businesses Risk Losing their Apprenticeship Levy Fund
HIT Training Elevates Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion by Becoming Patrons of the Multicultural Apprenticeship Alliance
How to Offer a Degree Apprenticeship for Employers
Alex Angelogiannis wows judges to take top spot in National Chef of the Year competition
What Are Flexible Apprenticeships?
New Hospitality Academy Launches to Tackle Industry Challenges and Raise Service Standards
Sam Dixon takes the top spot in Young National Chef of the Year
New National Chef of the Year is unveiled in front of industry elite
Update to our company name
Jill Whittaker Takes Top Honour at the 2024 Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards
HIT Heroes Award Winners Announced for 2021
Three Signs your Employees are Reaching Burnout – and How to Support Them
Untapped – HIT Training’s Brewer Apprentice Competition
Employee-owned training group signals long-term commitment to UK skills with new name
Educate Your Team on the Mental Health Benefits of Food
HIT produces 1500 free meals on National Hospitality Day
Hat-trick for HIT: Apprenticeship Provider of the Year three years running
Vacherin’s Nick Smith Crowned Winner of the Craft Guild of Chefs’ National Chef of the Year
Rising stars named in prestigious Young National Chef of the Year semi-final line-up
The Clink Charity identifies first candidates for in-prison apprenticeships in partnership with HIT Training
A Year of Achievement: HIT celebrates its first year under employee ownership.
HIT Training Apprentice Becomes First to Achieve New Hospitality Supervisor Apprenticeship
It’s Time to Take Unnecessary Food Waste off the Menu
HIT Training launches Hospitality employer call to action as ‘First Job. Future Career.’ campaign champions better opportunities for the next generation.
HIT celebrates new tri-nation partnership
HIT Training launches intelligent apprenticeship recruitment service for hospitality and retail, in partnership with urfuture
How the ‘Mini-Budget’ Supports Employers, Training and Skills Development
Two HIT Apprentices Make MasterChef Finals
The Future Hospitality Workforce: What Will it Look Like Following COVID-19?
HIT Heroes Apprentice and Employer of The Year 2020 Announced
The Real Barrier to Exceptional Hospitality Isn’t What You Think
Making 2022 The ‘Year of Retention’
HIT Training and BII Collaborate on a Series of Ready to Reopen Webinars
HIT Training Offers Chartered Management Degree Apprenticeship to Drive Business Improvement
HIT Heroes Winners Unveiled in Celebration Event
Stepping Up – It’s Time to Earn your Stripes
Managing Stress Levels in the Midst of a Global Pandemic
HIT Heroes Award Winners 2022
Rising stars of the UK culinary scene revealed for Young National Chef of the Year final
Budget Reflections: Key Impacts on Skills and Training
HIT Training Ltd moves to employee ownership
HIT Training First to Launch New Qualification for Health and Social Care Sector
UnTapped 2025 is here, and our Super Seven finalists are thirsty for success!
A Listening Ear Makes All the Difference: World Suicide Prevention Day
HIT Training Ltd Earns Prestigious Gold Membership in The 5% Club
How to Minimise Kitchen Food Waste
What is the Apprenticeship Levy?
HIT Launches New Fish Friers Apprenticeship
How to Solve Your Staffing Problems with Apprenticeships
HIT’s Executive Chair Jill Whittaker OBE wins award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Industry’
The Importance of a Mentor for Apprentices
HIT Training Launches Free Workshops to Help Close the Chef Skills Gap in the Capital
Jill Whittaker, Managing Director of HIT Training Ltd, Awarded OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours
‘Forward with Marcus Wareing’ programme expands following huge success
Entries now open for the Craft Guild of Chefs Graduate Awards 2025
Institute of Hospitality and HIT Training Invest in the Industry’s Future
We’re Unmasking Talent in the Hospitality Industry with the Launch of the HIT Heroes Awards
National Apprenticeship Awards 2020 – Open for Entries!
New Principal appointed to HIT Chef Academy
Time to Open up About Mental Health During COVID-19
Introducing the New Normal for HIT’s Apprenticeship Delivery
Employer Newsletter – We’re here to stay
HIT Untapped competition: Meet the 2026 Stars of Brewing
We Are Now a Planet Mark Certified Business
Protecting the Future of the Sector: Hospitality Businesses Pledge to Fund Apprenticeships Outside Their Organisation
