A young bartender from Ayrshire has been recognised as one of the UK’s brightest rising stars after winning a leading national competition for hospitality students.
Declan Sloan, from Kilmarnock, was named Front of House Champion at Nestlé Professional’s prestigious Toque d’Or competition, impressing judges with his expertise in customer service, mixology, leadership and sustainability.
The accolade marks another milestone for the Diageo Learning for Life graduate, whose route into hospitality began during the uncertainty of the pandemic after years of searching for a career that felt right.
After leaving school, Sloan explored a range of paths including sports and fitness and mechanical engineering, but struggled to find direction. A short-term placement through the Kickstart scheme left him once again questioning his future, until a conversation with his cousin Frazer – a previous Learning for Life participant – encouraged him to consider hospitality.
He said: “My mum said to me, ‘What have you got to lose?’ Looking back now, that was probably the best advice I could have had.”
With no prior experience, Sloan quickly embraced the opportunity offered by Diageo’s Learning for Life programme, gaining practical skills and confidence in a customer-facing environment. Within weeks, he secured his first role as a bar back, beginning his journey in the industry from the ground up.
Since graduating in 2020, he has balanced his role at The Howard Arms in Kilmarnock with studies at Ayrshire College, while steadily building an impressive track record in national competitions. After achieving bronze and silver medals in earlier contests, Sloan claimed gold at the 2026 TUCO Competitions before securing the top Front of House title at Toque d’Or – widely regarded as one of the UK’s leading platforms for emerging hospitality talent.
The competition finals, held over a week in London, tested participants across a range of disciplines including wine pairing, sustainability, coffee, mixology and leadership under pressure.
Despite his growing list of achievements, Sloan admitted he was taken aback by the result.
“When they called my name, it took a second to register. I was absolutely shocked,” he said.
While the awards mark a significant career highlight, Sloan believes his greatest transformation has been personal.
“I wasn’t really a people person before. Learning for Life and working in hospitality pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me build confidence. It put me in situations where I had to speak to people and develop those skills.”
Gillian Dalziel, Programme Manager for Diageo’s Learning for Life, said Sloan’s journey reflects the core purpose of the initiative.
“Declan’s story is exactly why Learning for Life exists. Like many participants, he joined the programme unsure what came next. Through practical training, industry experience and ongoing support from industry experts, he discovered a career that matched his interests, built his confidence and opened doors he never imagined.
“Hospitality is about far more than helping someone find a job. It’s about helping people discover their strengths, develop confidence and realise their potential. Seeing someone like Declan go on to achieve national recognition is something we’re incredibly proud of.”
You Might Also Like:
Looking ahead, Sloan plans to continue developing his career in hospitality, with ambitions to one day open his own bar. He is also keen to encourage other young people – particularly those uncertain about their future – to consider the sector.
“Just do it. Hospitality is so much more than people think it is. Every day is different, and you learn so many transferable skills. It helped me become more confident and comfortable speaking to people.
“What you put into hospitality is what you get out of it. If I hadn’t taken that leap and joined Learning for Life, I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today.”
