Key Points

• Classroom at Cardiff and Vale College receives AA College Restaurant of the Year Award 2026.
• The award was awarded at JW Marriott Grosvenor House London on Monday 21 September 2026.
• The award is courtesy of the collaboration between AA Hotel & Hospitality Services and People 1st International.
• The Classroom won among other finalist including Milton Keynes College Group, Truro and Penwith College, and York College.
• The restaurant operates from the top floor of Cardiff and Vale College’s City Centre Campus. It serves dishes in the style of modern Europe using locally sourced ingredients of Wales.
• Students serve the restaurant in order to gain practical skills in hospitality industry under the guidance of professional chefs with experience in Michelin stars and AA Rosette.
• Some of the famous chefs are James Sommerin and Larkin Cen who offer students master classes and guest chef days.
• The winner had a challenge to host a charity dinner for the cause of Hospitality Action. The students raised £1,700 during the event with the help of Chef Stephen Terry who developed a three-course menu with Tom Kerridge and Andrew Pern sending supportive messages.
• Participating colleges have managed to raise about £10,000.
• Ten colleges took part in the 2026 competition.

Cardiff (Wales Times) September 23, 2026 – The Classroom at uk/local/cardiff/">Cardiff and Vale College has been named the winner of the AA College Restaurant of the Year Award 2026, following an awards ceremony at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London on Monday 21 September.

As reported by FE News, the award is delivered by AA Hotel & Hospitality Services in partnership with People 1st International. It recognises achievement in college hospitality education and celebrates the skills, ambition and industry readiness of students preparing for hospitality careers.

The Classroom was chosen from four finalists after a competitive judging process. The other finalists were Milton Keynes College Group, Truro and Penwith College, and York College.

Why Did The Classroom Win the 2026 Award?

The award reflects the restaurant’s sustained performance in hospitality education. The Classroom is a People 1st accredited college restaurant and Centre of Excellence, with previous recognition including an AA College Rosette – Highly Commended and several shortlists for the AA College Restaurant of the Year Award.

According to FE News, the judges were particularly impressed by the real-world experience offered to students and the opportunities created for young people from different backgrounds to develop confidence and practical skills.

Managing Director of AA Media, Simon Numphud, said Cardiff and Vale College were “thoroughly deserving winners”. He added:

“The Classroom is a fantastic example of what hospitality education can achieve when talented students, passionate lecturers and strong industry partnerships come together.”

Mr Numphud said the students’ commitment extended beyond the restaurant, with learners working alongside leading chefs and competing at national and international level. He said the college was “not only developing the next generation of hospitality professionals”, but also helping to strengthen the future of the industry in Wales.

What Is The Classroom at Cardiff and Vale College?

The Classroom is located on the top floor of Cardiff and Vale College’s City Centre Campus. It operates as a modern European restaurant with panoramic views across Cardiff, serving seasonal menus that emphasise high-quality ingredients and regional Welsh produce.

Students prepare dishes from scratch in a professional restaurant environment. The restaurant also includes an in-house bakery and is designed to give learners practical experience of working in hospitality.

As reported by FE News, students work with an experienced team whose backgrounds include Michelin-starred and multiple AA Rosette establishments. The aim is to provide learners with the practical skills, industry knowledge and confidence needed to progress in the sector.

The Classroom also receives support from visiting professionals, including chefs James Sommerin and Larkin Cen. They deliver masterclasses and guest chef takeovers, giving students direct access to experienced industry figures and strengthening the college’s links with the hospitality sector.

How Did Students Support Hospitality Action?

This year’s competition required students to plan, market and deliver a charity event in support of Hospitality Action, then present the project to an expert judging panel.

The Classroom’s event, titled Industry Supporting Industry, brought together industry partners, chef support, a luxury dining experience, and fundraising through an auction and raffle. Guest chef Stephen Terry worked with students and staff to create a special three-course menu.

According to FE News, fellow chefs Tom Kerridge and Andrew Pern sent messages of support, which were shown during the event. The event raised £1,700 for Hospitality Action.

Mr Terry said: “It was an absolute pleasure to work with the learners on this which was all about giving something back […] raising money for a charity that’s obviously very close to my heart – Hospitality Action do incredible work.”

He added that he would like to repeat the experience and hoped his association with the college would continue.

The charity event gave students practical experience in event planning, teamwork, communication, hospitality delivery and fundraising, while serving paying guests in a live restaurant setting.

Which Colleges Took Part in the Competition?

Ten colleges participated in the 2026 competition:

• Basingstoke College of Technology
• Cardiff and Vale College
• Cambridge Regional College
• Exeter College
• Hull College
• Milton Keynes College Group
• Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group
• New College Durham
• Truro and Penwith College
• York College

Collectively, the participating colleges raised around £10,000 for Hospitality Action. According to FE News, the competition showcased students’ initiative, teamwork, leadership, commercial awareness and industry engagement.

Hospitality Action’s Senior Fundraising Executive, Katie Lestner, thanked the colleges for their support. She said:

“Together, they have made an extraordinary contribution to Hospitality Action and the support we’re able to provide to people across our industry when they need us most.”

Background of the Development

The AA College Restaurant of the Year Award is part of a wider programme led by AA Hotel & Hospitality Services and People 1st International. It is intended to recognise college restaurants that combine high-quality food service with structured hospitality training.

The Classroom had already built a record of recognition before winning the 2026 title. Its previous achievements include an AA College Rosette – Highly Commended and multiple shortlists for the same annual award.

The 2026 result also reflects the role of college restaurants in preparing students for employment. By operating a public-facing restaurant, learners gain experience in food preparation, customer service, event management and fundraising, while working with established chefs and hospitality employers.

Prediction: How Can This Affect Hospitality Students?

For hospitality students in Wales and across the United Kingdom, the award may increase awareness of college-based restaurant training as a route into the industry. The Classroom’s recognition highlights that practical, employer-linked education can help students build skills in cooking, service, events and business awareness.

For Cardiff and Vale College students, the national recognition could strengthen the restaurant’s links with chefs, employers and industry partners. The involvement of professionals such as James Sommerin, Larkin Cen and Stephen Terry already gives learners direct exposure to experienced hospitality figures.

For prospective students, the award may make The Classroom a more visible example of a college restaurant that combines classroom learning with live service experience. The competition’s fundraising element also shows how hospitality training can connect students with charitable work and wider industry networks.