Students crowned best hospitality team in Europe

A team of five hospitality students have won a European competition staged in the Netherlands.

The group from the Edge Hotel School at the University of Essex faced off against 28 other education establishments in the EMCup in Maastricht.

The team competed over two days and were put through a Dragon's Den-style task.

Deputy head of school Adrian Martin said it was an "unexpected triumph".

"[It] also signals a bright future for our students who are already in great demand," he said.

"No one has ever won on their first attempt and the staff and students here are so very proud."

The Edge Hotel School - which was set up 12 years ago - offers undergraduate and masters degrees in hospitality management courses.

The university, based in Colchester, said its students were given real-life scenarios to respond to, which included being told to come up with ideas to improve staff retention at a Dutch hotel.

They suggested designing so-called nature spaces and break rooms for staff to relax in.

Competition judge Stefan Dubbeling, who is also director of Best Western Hotels, said: "To walk in as first-time competitors and walk out as champions, it's incredible."

The team comprised of Fernando Odio Esquivel, Emma Sharma, Megan Ellis Smith, Alexander Horswill, Isabelle White and Chelsy Rafael Sanchez.

The group won 5,000 Euros (£4,155) to be used towards supporting a J-1 Visa for one of the team members, plus a two-night stay at a luxury hotel in Amsterdam with cocktail making lessons.

Manchester Metropolitan University finished in third place.

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