Key Points
- More than 20 Hospitality and Food Studies students from Barking & Dagenham College participated in live skills competitions at HRC Food, Drink & Hospitality Week at ExCeL London, demonstrating creative, technically strong, and beautifully executed dishes.
- A returning competitor from the college, who previously achieved three Silver awards at HRC, set the bar high again, highlighting dedication and ambition.
- Competitions are embedded in the college’s curriculum and ethos, including on-campus Skills Shows across subjects like construction, digital, engineering, business, hair and beauty, and hospitality, mirroring real workplace scenarios.
- Students also compete in national events such as WorldSkills UK, testing against top emerging talent.
- Recent Skills Show at the college in February 2026 featured hospitality students preparing a two-course lunch for 63 guests including Mayor Councillor Princess Bright, with dishes like salmon with lemon sauce and lemon coconut tart.
- Plumbing student Talha Ramouche, 17, won his competition, noting it boosted confidence for employers; Brickwork students Alfie Hazel and Bobby Soskin, both 16, praised industry judging.
- Zoe Richardson, Skills Events & Development Manager, stated events build confidence and raise aspirations.
- Leader Dominic Twomey praised the Skills Show as a launchpad under real-world pressure.
- HRC 2026 event ran from 30 March to 1 April at ExCeL London, combining multiple hospitality trade shows and competitions.
Barking and Dagenham (East London Times) April 30, 2026 – Barking & Dagenham College’s Hospitality and Food Studies students took centre stage at the HRC Food, Drink & Hospitality Week at ExCeL London, competing in high-profile live skills challenges alongside peers from colleges, apprenticeships, and industry schemes.
What Happened at HRC Food, Drink & Hospitality Week?
The event, held from 30 March to 1 April 2026 at ExCeL London, brought together trade shows including HRC, IFE, and International Salon Culinaire, offering students a platform to showcase skills in a professional arena. More than 20 students from Barking & Dagenham College participated, rising to the occasion from early morning preparations to final presentations. Their dishes were described as creative, technically strong, and beautifully executed.
As noted in a college social media post, the hospitality learners “took centre stage” at the event. A returning competitor, who had previously secured three Silver awards at HRC, once again set the bar high, serving as a testament to the dedication and ambition at the college.
How Are Competitions Integrated into College Life?
Competitions form a vital part of Barking & Dagenham College’s ethos and curriculum. The college regularly hosts its own Skills Shows on campus, where students from construction, digital, engineering, business, hair and beauty, hospitality, and more engage in live challenges replicating workplace scenarios.
In the February 2026 Skills Show, hospitality students like 18-year-old Tyler Brisley-Keating prepared a two-course lunch for 63 guests and VIPs, including Mayor Councillor Princess Bright, featuring salmon with lemon sauce and lemon coconut tart. Tyler Brisley-Keating said:
“It’s great to get real work experience, preparing food for the College’s special visitors; we had a bit of practice, as we prepared a Christmas dinner in December.”
Public Services students completed an Army bootcamp activity, while Brickwork Level 1 students Alfie Hazel and Bobby Soskin, both 16 from Dagenham, built a wall judged by industry professionals. Alfie Hazel and Bobby Soskin said:
“This was a lot of fun and a great experience for us to have our work judged by industry professionals.”
Plumbing student Talha Ramouche, 17 from Romford, won the plumbing competition, stating:
“Last year, I did this competition and I got second place and that really boosted my confidence, so this time I was a lot more confident. I think this competition is good for your moral and it proves that you’ve got skills to showcase to potential employers.”
Zoe Richardson, Skills Events & Development Manager at Barking & Dagenham College, said:
“The Skills Show is all about giving our students the opportunity to shine. It’s fantastic to see so much enthusiasm, professionalism and pride in their work. Events like this build confidence, raise aspirations and help learners see just how far their skills can take them.”
What Role Do National Competitions Play?
Beyond campus events, students travel to compete in prestigious national competitions like WorldSkills UK. These align with WorldSkills standards, preparing students for regional and national levels.
In past Skills Shows, WorldSkills UK representatives attended. Mark Poland, National Competitions Contractor at WorldSkills UK, said of a 2023 event:
“It was a privilege to visit the Skills Show competition event at Barking and Dagenham College. These events are extremely beneficial to all students, being able to showcase their honed skills whilst developing their knowledge, gaining experience, working under pressure and sharing this experience with their peers. The competitions are of particular importance in developing skills in preparation for any assessments, enhancing their personal attributes or entering the WorldSkills UK competitions to compete to be the best at their chosen skill in the UK.”
The Inter-College Skills Show in March 2025, devised by Barking & Dagenham College, involved eight colleges and hundreds of students in sectors like hospitality and engineering. Hospitality competitors at the college demonstrated knife skills, butchery, and professional standards as if in a high-end kitchen. Gold medal winners included Samara Jordan, 18 from Capital City College in butchery, who said:
“I competed in pursuit of expanding my skills and deepening my culinary knowledge. I think that putting yourself in uncomfortable situations will help you to succeed. I did my best in the competition, but whatever happens it’s an essential learning experience.”
Naif Alshen, 21 from Capital City College in vegetable knife skills, added:
“The competition made me more confident, learning how to work under pressure. I was a bit nervous, but in the end, I think I did really well. It felt amazing! I’m really proud of myself.”
Judges Fabio Jesus, Head of Food at BD Group, said:
“Today was such a great experience with lots of talented students. The high level of skills demonstrated today was exceptional, which gives me hope for the future of the industry.”
Lisa Morris, Accounts Director at BD Group, said:
“Being a guest judge today has been a privilege, the students are amazing, and we have some rising stars among them. The skill sets are all so different, but they’re all high achievers.”
Why Do Industry Leaders Value These Events?
Industry and council figures have highlighted the benefits. Dominic Twomey, Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, at the February 2026 Skills Show said:
“I’m honoured to be at Barking & Dagenham College for this incredible WorldSkills UK-endorsed event. It’s more than just a competition, it’s a launchpad for our young people, giving them hands-on, industry-standard training under real-world pressure. Seeing these learners rise to the challenge today proves they’re ready to take on the job market and it’s truly impressive!”
Jason Turton, Deputy Principal for Barking & Dagenham College, writing in FE News on the power of skills competitions, noted their role in bridging education and employment. In the 2025 Inter-College event, Jason Turton said:
“The Inter-College Skills Show demonstrates what’s possible when education and industry work together to build a truly skills-driven economy.”
Mark Hilton, Policy Delivery Director at BusinessLDN, stated: “I think skills competitions are incredibly important for students. They give them the ability to test their skills in a real-life environment. That level of pressure, and that level of competition really helps them as they think about their next job opportunities.”
Parisa Shirazi, Director of Standards at WorldSkills UK, added:
“It has been fantastic to partner with colleges across London and Essex to deliver the Inter-College Skills Show. Our competition-based learning programme, based on international standards, is recognised as one of the most powerful tools for supporting young people in developing the technical skills that employers are crying out for.”
The original piece, reflecting years in further education, emphasised the transformative power of real-world experiences like HRC, where students shoulder-to-shoulder with peers reminded why competitions matter.
Background of the Development
Barking & Dagenham College has long embedded competitions in its programmes, with Skills Shows dating back to at least 2023, evolving into larger events like the 2025 Inter-College Skills Show across multiple colleges. HRC Food, Drink & Hospitality Week has been a key annual fixture, with the 2026 edition at ExCeL continuing its tradition of live competitions amid trade shows.
This aligns with broader efforts like the Greater London Local Skills Improvement Plan and London Growth Plan to address skills gaps, where 63 per cent of London businesses report shortages. WorldSkills UK endorsement provides international standards, supporting progression to national and global levels.
Prediction: Impact on Barking and Dagenham Students
Participating in these competitions can equip Barking and Dagenham students with practical skills, industry exposure, and confidence under pressure, aiding transitions to apprenticeships, employment, or higher-level study. Events aligned with WorldSkills standards can prepare them for national competitions, enhancing CVs for local employers in hospitality, construction, and engineering. Involvement from judges and VIPs like council leaders can foster networks, potentially leading to work experience or jobs, while repeated participation builds resilience for real-world roles. For hospitality students specifically, HRC experience can demonstrate professional standards to sector firms facing talent needs. Overall, this can narrow skills gaps, supporting career progression in London’s competitive job market.
