A Weston College apprentice is through to the finals of a prestigious skills competition after a stunning display of his catering-related work in London.

Max Bennett, a Level Three Supervisory and Leadership Apprentice , currently works at the Marco Pierre White Restaurant at the Doubletree at Hilton Cadbury House venue in Congresbury, North Somerset.

His hospitality skills and highly professional manner with the restaurant's customers made him an ideal candidate for the 'WorldSkills' event, the largest unique biannual competition in the world involving around 1,000 apprentices and students, aged 18 – 24 in 46 different skill areas.

Max, 18, from Clevedon, travelled to Westminster College in London for the regional finals, pitting his skills against fellow apprentices and students. He was asked to supervise in a professional restaurant setting, which included the serving of a flambéed banana dish as well as carving salmon, serving wine and interacting with the guests.

Max's skills and overall manner has now earned him a place in the WorldSkills UK final in Birmingham in November. If he wins that, he will be off to Rio De Janeiro next year as part of the UK squad.

Max said: “It was a real challenge and quite nerve-wracking. I know I made a couple of mistakes but I think the way I chatted with the customers got me through. I'm really looking forward to the next round and I'd love to be in the team that goes to Brazil.”

Max has worked at Doubletree at Hilton Cadbury House for 18 months. He said: “The staff and my managers have been really supportive, as have Weston College. They're all willing me on to get through the next round in Birmingham.”

Brian Howe, Weston College's Work Based Learning (WBL) Development Coordinator, said: “Max is a great guy and a real credit to his employers. His outstanding success at WorldSkills just proves what you can achieve if you put your mind to it, and at Weston College we'd love to recruit other potential apprentices who feel they could achieve the same.”