Yuliia heads to London for global culinary competition

Coleg Llandrillo student Yuliia Batrak is to compete in International Salon Culinaire, one of the world’s most prestigious culinary competitions.

Yuliia, from Colwyn Bay, is studying Level 3 Professional Cookery and Food Service at the college’s Rhos-on-Sea campus.

She is hoping to represent the UK in restaurant service in WorldSkills 2026 in Shanghai, having been selected in the national training squad preparing for the event.

On Monday, Yuliia is heading to ExCeL London, where she will be up against some of the best aspiring restaurant service professionals from across the UK and beyond in International Salon Culinaire.

The 19-year-old will compete in four competitions - table-setting, cocktail mixology, flambé and the Caesar’s salad challenge.

She has devised her own cocktail for the mixology competition, with flavours reminiscent of her family’s home in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Yuliia said: “It doesn’t say in the brief that I have to create my own, but I decided I want to create something that represents me as a person and as a competitor.

“It will be a cherry blossom spritz made with vanilla vodka, cherry liqueur and Kirsch liqueur, topped up with prosecco and garnished with a cherry blossom sprig.

“The cherry blossom theme will represent spring, and also it reminds me of my home because we were growing loads of cherries, so I’m going to explain this history a little bit to the judges.”

International Salon Culinaire, the country’s largest programme of culinary competitions, is part of Food, Drink and Hospitality Week at the ExCeL. It features competition for all levels, from students and apprentices to experienced professionals, and will give Yuliia invaluable experience of competing at a high level as she prepares for WorldSkills.

Yuliia said: “It’s in a huge marquee and is open to the public. It’s attended by thousands of people, so it’s a really big pressure test and a chance to see what it’s going to be like in an international competition in Shanghai next year. Hopefully I’ll bring back a few gold medals!”

Earlier this month, Yuliia took part in a WorldSkills UK training competition on home turf, at Coleg Llandrillo’s Orme View restaurant.

She and the rest of the restaurant service training squad honed their skills over five days at the Rhos-on-Sea campus under the guidance of WorldSkills UK training managers Pauline Dale and Dr Shyam Patiar - both former hospitality managers at the college.

The squad took part in mock competitions simulating the tasks they will face should they secure a place in the team for Shanghai.

Over the next 18 months, they will be tested in a series of similar sessions before one competitor is chosen to represent the UK in China.

Yuliia said: “We did fine-dining service, banqueting-style service, casual dining, barista training, cocktail-making - all kinds of stuff.

“It was super intense. There were two other competitors from other colleges, and only one of us is going to be representing the UK in Shanghai 2026. I’m really excited about this at the moment.”

Yuliia was selected for the squad after winning gold in restaurant service in the national final in 2023.

She said: “It’s a life-changing experience, definitely, because the amount of things you are being trained in for this competition is just incredible. When you are doing this kind of competition, you are getting more and more opportunities for your future, and it’s a great start for your career.

“I’ve had such amazing tutors and very supportive members of staff in Coleg Llandrillo who have helped me to train and get everything sorted for me, and I’m so grateful for that.”

Do you want to work in the hospitality industry? Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s Hospitality & Catering programme area offers full and part-time courses from Level 1 to Bachelors Honours Degrees, as well as apprenticeships, NVQs and customised employee training.