The brief

The University Caterers Organisation (TUCO) host a skills competition each year, which has been held at the University of Warwick since 2016. It celebrates the high skills level within the industry and attracts more than 400 leading hospitality professionals.

TUCO challenged us to design spaces to suit individual competitions, such as the Barista Challenge and the Salon Culinare. The competitions taking place during the event are wide-ranging and bring a variety of individual requests and technical tasks.

We also had to create a completely different feel for the evening Gala Dinner, within a two hour turnaround.

The work

For two years running we’ve transformed the Butterworth Hall from an exhibition coffee shop during the day to an evening Gala Dinner. Working with our partners at Warwick Conferences, we’ve mastered the two hour turnaround timeframe.

We’ve also powered and installed eight kitchens that can work simultaneously for the variety of cook and serve tasks. Each year we work with TUCO to enhance the stage and event design.

The result

We have hosted two very successful events so far and the client keeps returning. The 2017 event was the 24th TUCO annual competition, and was host to 34 institutions and 140 competitors.

The feedback

Once again can I say a big thank you for your assistance in the planning and delivery of this year’s barista competition.

This year’s event went to a different level. Can you pass on my thanks to all of those that assisted in making this happen.

Stephen Lambert - Campus Hospitality Manager, Moulsecoomb