Hugo wins Rhyl Rotary Club’s annual Catering Award
The Coleg Llandrillo student and aspiring chef was chosen for the accolade thanks to his dedication to learning and his enthusiasm for his craft
Coleg Llandrillo student Hugo Loh has won The Rotary Club of Rhyl’s annual Catering Award for 2025.
The club has sponsored an award for the most outstanding hospitality student from the Rhyl area for more than 30 years, with the winner nominated by lecturers at the college.
Having been chosen as this year’s recipient, Hugo was presented with the trophy, plus a £150 prize donated by the Rotary Club, during an awards dinner at Rhyl Golf Club.
Hugo is in the second year of his Level 3 Diploma in Professional Cookery at Coleg Llandrillo’s Rhos-on-Sea campus.
As well as cooking fine-dining cuisine for guests at the college’s Orme View restaurant, he also works at Hei Hei Chinese takeaway in Rhyl, and aspires to open his own restaurant.
After being presented with his award, Hugo said: “I was surprised to win but happy. We went to the Golf Club, had a nice two-course dinner, and (hospitality lecturer) Mike Garner gave a speech about me. It was a nice day.”
Hugo’s speciality is Asian cuisine, although he hopes to blend in influences from his college course to create his own unique style.
“The course is amazing,” he said. “I want to be a chef and open up my own restaurant one day. I cook all the time at home, and at work. I’ve always been into Asian cuisines, especially Chinese. My parents got me into it so that’s what I’ve always done. In the college they teach French cuisine so I’d like to do a mix of both.”
Hospitality lecturer Mike Garner said: “Hugo was nominated after much discussion from the hospitality teaching team, having been chosen from among stiff competition.
“His dedication to learning, and willingness to spend time researching the upcoming dishes he has to produce in the restaurant and practice kitchen, definitely played a part in the decision.
“Hugo's willingness to help out his peers and muck in where needed, alongside his enthusiasm for being in the kitchen, also helped swing the vote in his favour.
“Hugo is a talented young chef with an enthusiasm for learning his craft who will go far. We look forward to sampling dishes in his own restaurant in a few years’ time.”
Do you want to work in the hospitality industry? Grŵp Llandrillo Menai offers a range of courses from Level 1 to BA Honours Degrees, as well as apprenticeships, NVQs and customised employee training. Learn more here.