A Cheshire College – South & West hospitality student has been named Young Sommelier Champion at the prestigious International Wine & Food Society’s (IWFS) Awards Lunch for Young Chef & Sommelier 2026 — one of the UK’s leading competitions for emerging culinary and front-of-house talent.
Leah Wood secured the title in the Young Sommelier category after impressing judges with her wine pairings for two complex dishes, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of flavour balance, guest experience and professional service.
Her winning selections included Gran Hacienda Merlot and Campo Nuevo Tempranillo paired with a Confit Rabbit Ballotine, and Odyssey Chardonnay with Gran Hacienda Sauvignon Blanc to complement a Seafood Stuffed Savoy Cabbage.
The success marks a significant achievement for Cheshire College’s Hospitality and Catering provision, with two additional students, Ella Blase and Libby Bridge, also reaching the Young Chef finals. Both students were recognised by judges for the high quality of their dishes and their ability to perform under the pressure of competition conditions.
The finals and awards lunch were hosted at Cheshire College in partnership with the IWFS Merseyside & Mid Cheshire Branch, bringing together hospitality professionals, industry leaders and supporters from across the region to celebrate the next generation of culinary talent.
Ruth Skolkowska, Vice Principal for Innovation, Curriculum and Quality at Cheshire College, said:
“Competitions of this calibre provide students with invaluable industry experience, allowing them to apply their skills in real-world settings while building confidence and professional networks. Their success is a testament to the exceptional talent being developed at Cheshire College.”
Leah commented:
“Hospitality and wine service is something I’m incredibly passionate about, and achieving this means so much to me. I’m so proud of all the hard work, research and preparation that went into this competition.”
Cheshire College’s Hospitality and Catering courses are designed to prepare students for a wide range of careers within the industry. Students benefit from access to modern commercial kitchens and the College’s on-site AA Rosette-standard Academy Restaurants, where they gain hands-on experience preparing high-quality dishes and delivering fine dining service in commercially operated environments.
Students also have opportunities to provide hospitality services at large-scale corporate and external events, helping to build industry experience, confidence and employability skills.
