Coleg y Cymoedd scoops three awards at national food competition

Coleg y Cymoedd’s Scholars restaurant has been crowned ‘Restaurant of the Year’ at the 2022 Food Awards Wales, beating over 40 other establishments across the country to win the top prize.

The award is one of three scooped by Scholars at the national competition, with it also being named ‘Cookery School of the Year’ and ‘South East Restaurant of the Year’ at this year’s awards, which were held at a black tie event in Cardiff City Stadium.

The Food Awards Wales recognise and reward the successes of local professionals and establishments working within the Welsh food industry.

Winners are voted for by members of the general public from each region.

Scholars, based at the college’s Ystrad Mynach campus, has been praised for the quality of its food and service since it first opened in 1973. The restaurant is run by learners studying on Level 1,2,3 Professional cookery, Food service and Patisserie courses and currently boasts a five-star rating on TripAdvisor.

Hayley Hunt, Deputy Head at Coleg y Cymoedd, said: ”I am still speechless following the awards. Coming home with not one, not two but three awards, including the overall restaurant of the year is an incredible achievement. We have put a lot of investment into our catering departments and courses over the year so it’s great to see this recognised.  

“Our restaurants are run by our learners and college staff so it’s fantastic to see everyone’s hard work and passion rewarded.”

The awards follow a string of successes for Coleg y Cymoedd’s catering departments over the last year, with learners from the college having also received six awards at the 2022 Welsh Skills Competition.

The awards, which challenge learners, trainees and apprentices from across Wales to compete in a series of challenges related to their chosen sector, saw Coleg y Cymoedd bring home four golds in the competition. These included a gold in the Culinary Arts and Patisserie and Confectionary categories as well as two in the Inclusive skills restaurant service categories.

Share!