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
Future-Proof Your Business and Save Big: National Insurance Savings for Employers of Apprentices Under 25
Rising stars of the UK culinary scene revealed for Young National Chef of the Year final
Untapped – HIT Training’s Brewer Apprentice Competition
Winners of Fired Up and Un-Tapped Apprentice Competitions 2023 announced
Hospitality Employers Back Shorter Apprenticeships as HIT Launches New Working Group
HIT Training Launches Free Workshops to Help Close the Chef Skills Gap in the Capital
Vacherin’s Nick Smith Crowned Winner of the Craft Guild of Chefs’ National Chef of the Year
HIT Training Ltd Receives ‘Good’ Ofsted Rating for 14th Consecutive Year
HIT Training Ltd announces new Managing Director Mike Worley
HIT’s UnTapped Brewer Competition is back for 2025
There’s No Age Limit to Invaluable Training
Untapped competition: Meet the 2024 Rising Stars of Brewing
Helping Young People Into Work: every employer can do one thing
Creating a Learn-it-All Culture
All Change – It’s Time to Reserve Your Apprenticeship Funding!
Update to our company name
Harness the Power of Plant Based: One Bite at a Time
HIT produces 1500 free meals on National Hospitality Day
HIT Training Ltd Signs New Business Drive to Help The Nation Through COVID-19 Crisis
HIT Training Recognised at the TES FE Awards 2018
Educate Your Team on the Mental Health Benefits of Food
National Inclusion Week 2024: Why Impact Matters in Apprenticeships
We’re Unmasking Talent in the Hospitality Industry with the Launch of the HIT Heroes Awards
Hospitality Apprentices Impress at HIT Masterchef Finals
Two HIT Apprentices Make MasterChef Finals
Budget Reflections: Key Impacts on Skills and Training
The Real Barrier to Exceptional Hospitality Isn’t What You Think
New Principal appointed to HIT Chef Academy
HIT Training Ltd Wins Excellence in English and Maths Skills Development at the Apprenticeship and Training Awards
The Clink Charity identifies first candidates for in-prison apprenticeships in partnership with HIT Training
HIT Training Ltd moves to employee ownership
Brewer Apprentices Celebrate Success at 2025 Graduation and Untapped Awards
HIT Training Recognised at the Foodservice Cateys 2018
The Young National Chef of the Year Finalists Have Been Revealed
HIT partners with Hospitality Jobs UK to form new recruitment partnership
Apprentices Make History After Completing the UK’s First Ever Brewer Apprenticeship
‘The Super Six’ Unveiled
How to Manage Stress: Stress Awareness Month 2021
Rising stars named in prestigious Young National Chef of the Year semi-final line-up
HIT Training Ltd Embarks on the Journey to Net Zero with Planet Mark Certification
HIT supports new platform to promote pub and hospitality careers
New Graduate Apprenticeship Launched to Build Future Hospitality Leaders
A Year of Achievement: HIT celebrates its first year under employee ownership.
What are apprenticeships? A guide for employers.
Integrating Plant Based Food into your Menu
Introducing the Executive Development Network (EDN)
HIT Training Ltd Receives Matrix Standard
HIT’s Executive Chair Jill Whittaker OBE wins award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Industry’
HIT Training Wins Award for Championing Social Mobility Through Apprenticeships
Jill Whittaker, Managing Director of HIT Training Ltd, Awarded OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours
New movement to tackle gender inequality in the kitchen
Sodexo Culinary Academy focuses on inspiring and elevating chefs at every level
How to Offer a Degree Apprenticeship for Employers
Deliveroo Launches New Chef Apprenticeship Fund to Tackle Skills Shortage
Industry Collaboration Launches Talent Hub to Inspire and Retain Next Generation of Hospitality Professionals
HIT Training Ltd Welcomes Government Reforms to Functional Skills and Shorter Apprenticeships
HIT Training Offers Chartered Management Degree Apprenticeship to Drive Business Improvement
Jill Whittaker Takes Top Honour at the 2024 Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards
Join us for a summer of learning at HIT Training!
Sam Dixon takes the top spot in Young National Chef of the Year
Flexi-apprenticeships are the Answer to the Dwindling Hospitality Workforce
There is a New Star in the Hospitality Industry
How to Overcome Misconceptions and Unleash Employee Potential
An Industry Collaboration
The Importance of a Mentor for Apprentices
HIT Training Ltd strengthens its board with four new Directors
Flavour of Success at The Restaurant Show
Culture of Craft – The Rise of the Craft Apprenticeship
Meet our six Salon Culinaire apprentices!
HIT Celebrates Hospitality Day
Helping Neurodiverse Professionals Succeed in Hospitality
HIT Heroes Award Winners Announced for 2021
Crunch Time: Over Half of Hospitality Businesses Risk Losing their Apprenticeship Levy Fund
It’s official – our SEND pilot is now permanent!
UnTapped 2025 is here, and our Super Seven finalists are thirsty for success!
HIT Training Ltd scoops the award for Best Training Provider at the prestigious Apprenticeship Guide Awards
HIT Training Ltd named “Learning Provider of the Year” at the 2025 Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards
HIT Heroes Award Winners 2023
Mental Health Awareness Week – Dealing with Anxiety
HIT Training Features for Fourth Time in The Sunday Times’ Top 100 Best Companies to Work for’
HIT celebrates new tri-nation partnership
Brewer Apprenticeship Graduation Event: Celebrating Brewing Talent and Achievement
Leading the Way: Long Awaited Production Chef Apprenticeship is Launched
Why we Need Apprenticeships to Build the Future
Government announces major youth employment drive and apprenticeship reforms
How to Minimise Kitchen Food Waste
HIT Launches New Fish Friers Apprenticeship
What Are Flexible Apprenticeships?
Jill makes Public Sector Catering’s ‘Most Influential’ list
Working together with the New Government
HIT Heroes Apprentice and Employer of The Year 2020 Announced
Do Hospitality Careers Need a Rebrand?
A Listening Ear Makes All the Difference: World Suicide Prevention Day
HIT Training First to Launch New Qualification for Health and Social Care Sector
Access Global Opportunities for Your Apprentices
Center Parcs Celebrates Apprentice Trailblazers
HIT Training and The Clink Charity announce new partnership to launch apprenticeships for serving prisoners
HIT Training Apprentice Becomes First to Achieve New Hospitality Supervisor Apprenticeship
Making 2022 The ‘Year of Retention’
HIT Training Ltd Earns Prestigious Gold Membership in The 5% Club
