08 April 2024 
Jan Capper, CUBO Executive Director
The University Caterers Organisation (TUCO) has announced the winners of the 2024 TUCO Competitions, held for the first time since 2019. Almost 100 competitors took part at the University of Warwick on 3rd – 4th April.
TUCO Competitions gives public sector caterers the opportunity to showcase their talents and skills, and spectators a chance to see them live in action. The 2024 Competitions featured five new challenges – Best Burger, Innovative Breakfast, Love British Food, Seafood Skills and Vegan - as well as some of the old favourites – Barista, Chefs’ Challenge and Mixology.
Phil Rees-Jones, TUCO Chair, says: “We’re delighted that our annual skills competitions could return for 2024, and they were back with a bang! There was a fantastic range of skills on show from all competitors, and I was delighted to see strong levels of support shown by their colleagues contributing to a great atmosphere. Congratulations to all the winners.”
Barista Skills (sponsored by Cafeology)
Entrants competed in a live 15-minute competition to produce four espressos, four cappuccinos and four espresso-based, non-alcoholic specialty drinks.
Gold - Fabio Padiglioni, University of Bath
Best Burger
A 45-minute challenge in front of a panel of judges and a live audience. Chefs were tasked with creating a dish to enhance one of the most popular dishes in the world.
Gold - Ryan Cheyne, University of Aberdeen
Chefs’ Challenge (sponsored by Bidfood, Nisbets & Steelite)
A team of two chefs were challenged to cook a three-course meal of two covers in two hours. To challenge the skills of the chefs, a mystery box of ingredients that may be used in the competition is revealed at a briefing the evening before the cook off. Chefs then have just over two hours to conceive and plan the menu they will cook using these ingredients.
Gold - Joseph Latham & Ashley Podgers, University of Leicester
Innovative Breakfast Challenge
Chefs were tasked with delivering two portions of an ‘outside of the box’ breakfast that would be enjoyed by a customer, eaten in a refectory/restaurant environment, using innovative and traditional ingredients, hot or cold, or a combination that can be served plated or as a sharing platter or tray presented.
Gold - Matias Urbano, University of Bristol
Love British Food Challenge (in conjunction with Love British Food)
Brand new for 2024, the Love British Food challenge brief was to deliver two portions of a plated main course using British pork with suitable garnish and accompaniments.
Gold - Douglas Shewan, University of Aberdeen
Mixology (sponsored by Britvic, LWC & Steelite)
Mixologists were asked to produce two serves of a signature cocktail in 5 minutes, and two serves from a list of eight classic cocktails as chosen by the judges on the day. This challenge is highly time-pressured with competitors working against the clock!
Gold - Nicolas Berasain, University of St. Andrews
Seafood Skills
In a 45-minute event, chefs were asked to produce dishes to showcase their seafood skills.
Gold - Janet Szypillo, University of Exeter
Vegan Challenge:
The challenge was to produce a vegan dish to appeal to vegans, vegetarians and meat-eaters alike over a 30- minute time limit. The brief stated ‘think quick, think colourful, think nutritional’.
Gold - Richard Still, University of Exeter
TUCO Competitions full winners 2024:
Barista Skills Challenge
Gold - Fabio Padiglioni, University of Bath
Silver - Kitti Szabados, Imperial College London
Bronze - Claire Couchman, St Mary's University, Twickenham
Best Speciality Drink - Kitti Szabados, Imperial College London
Best Burger Challenge
Gold - Ryan Cheyne, University of Aberdeen
Silver - Newton Dias, Imperial College London
Bronze - Callum Lambert, King's College London
Chefs' Challenge
Gold - Joseph Latham & Ashley Podgers, University of Leicester
Silver - Lewis Huggins & Kevin Whitcher, University of Southampton
Bronze - Aaron Tong & Rob Hargreaves, University of Leeds
Innovative Breakfast Challenge
Gold - Matias Urbano, University of Bristol
Silver - James Norburm, University of Reading
Bronze - Richard Still, University of Exeter
Love British Food Challenge
Gold - Douglas Shewan, University of Aberdeen
Silver - Neil Finnigan, Liverpool Hope University
Bronze - David Webb, University of Warwick
Mixology Challenge
Gold - Nicolas Berasain, University of St. Andrews
Silver - Natasha Vahey, University of Birmingham
Bronze - Bianca Ilona-Ciobanu, Imperial College London
Best Signature Cocktail - Bianca Ilona-Ciobanu, Imperial College London
Seafood Skills Challenge
Gold - Janet Szypillo, University of Exeter
Silver - Fiorella Ascencios, University of Reading
Bronze - Matt O'Connor, University of Bristol
Vegan Challenge
Gold - Richard Still, University of Exeter
Silver - Harry Long-Maclennan, Liverpool Hope University
Bronze - Asa Dodd, University of Leicester
