People 1st International and AA Hotel & Hospitality Services are delighted to announce the four finalists for the AA College Restaurant of the Year Award 2026.

Following an inspiring Judging Day at The Belfry Hotel & Resort, hosted in partnership with AA Media, the judging panel selected four outstanding colleges whose presentations demonstrated exceptional innovation, professionalism, and commitment to supporting Hospitality Action.

This year’s finalists are:

• The Brasserie, Milton Keynes College Group
• The Cookery, York College
• Senara Restaurant, Truro and Penwith College
• The Classroom, Cardiff and Vale College

An exceptional standard

This year’s competition challenged students to plan, market, and deliver a charity event in support of Hospitality Action before presenting their project to a distinguished panel of industry judges.

The standard of presentations was exceptional, making the task of selecting just four finalists exceptionally challenging.

Presentations were assessed by an expert judging panel comprising Simon Numphud, Managing Director of AA Media; Oonagh Taylor, Technical Consultant at The Workforce Development Trust; Sean Wheeler, Chair of the College Accreditation Panel at People 1st International; and Jacques Hobson, Director of Food & Beverage at The Belfry Hotel & Resort.

Judges heard how students had developed innovative event concepts, collaborated with employers and industry partners, engaged local communities, created memorable guest experiences, and raised vital funds and awareness for Hospitality Action.

From immersive themed dining experiences and large-scale fundraising events to long-term initiatives designed to create lasting impact, every college showcased the ambition, ingenuity, and dedication of its students.

Judges’ reflections

Reflecting on the day, Sean Wheeler, Chair of the College Accreditation Panel at People 1st International, said:

“It was a fantastic day with inspiring students and colleges. The standard was incredibly high, and I feel proud to be part of it.”

Simon Numphud, Managing Director of AA Media, added:

“The AA College Restaurant of the Year Award is always a highlight in the calendar. This year’s presentations were truly inspiring and made for a tremendous Judging Day, demonstrating the passion and ambition developing across our accredited colleges.”

Supporting Hospitality Action

At the heart of this year’s challenge was Hospitality Action, the hospitality industry’s dedicated charity.

Collectively, this year’s competitors have already raised more than £9,000 for Hospitality Action, with further fundraising activity still to come. This remarkable achievement reflects both the generosity of local communities and the commitment of students to supporting the people behind the hospitality industry.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Hospitality Action for inspiring this year’s challenge and for the invaluable support it continues to provide to hospitality people across the UK.

More than a competition

Judging Day provided students with valuable opportunities to learn from leading hospitality professionals, gain industry insight, and expand their professional networks.

Alongside presenting to the judging panel, students heard from Michelin-starred chef David Taylor, Chef Director of Hampton Manor’s award-winning restaurants Grace & Savour and Kynd, who shared insights on sustainability, community, career development, and the future of hospitality. Students also benefited from a behind-the-scenes tour of the resort and the opportunity to engage with Senior Head Chef Dean Cole, gaining valuable insights into professional kitchen operations and hospitality careers.

These enrichment opportunities form an important part of the competition experience, helping students gain industry knowledge, broaden their perspectives, and build connections that can support their future careers.

Congratulations to our finalists and competitors

Congratulations to Milton Keynes College Group, York College, Truro and Penwith College, and Cardiff and Vale College on reaching the final stage of this year’s competition.

The four finalists stood out for the originality, strategic thinking, and purpose behind their projects, each finding a unique way to support Hospitality Action while engaging guests, raising awareness, and creating meaningful social impact.

We would also like to congratulate the other participating colleges:

• Cambridge Regional College
• Exeter College
• Hull College
• Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group
• New College Durham
• Basingstoke College of Technology

The creativity, commitment, teamwork, and ambition demonstrated throughout the competition made for an inspiring showcase of hospitality talent and a powerful reflection of the outstanding work taking place across our accredited college network.

Whether shortlisted or not, every college brought a unique perspective to the challenge, showcasing the initiative, capability, and commitment of their students while supporting the vital work of Hospitality Action.

We thank every student, tutor, assessor, judge, and industry partner who contributed to this year’s competition and look forward to announcing the winner of the AA College Restaurant of the Year Award 2026 at the AA Hospitality Awards in September.

Could your college be next?

The AA College Restaurant of the Year Award is exclusively open to People 1st accredited college restaurants.

If you’re interested in gaining industry recognition, showcasing student talent, and accessing exclusive opportunities for your hospitality provision, we’d love to hear from you.

Find out more about the People 1st College Accreditation Scheme and the benefits of membership →