Eight entrants to the Gold Service Scholarship 2015 have been selected to compete in the National Final.
The competition – supported by lead sponsor BaxterStorey and now in its third year – is designed to celebrate the importance of great service and inspire a new generation of young people to make a professional career out of front of house hospitality.
The finalists, who were whittled down from 28 at the regional heats by an elite judging panel, will go head-to-head at The Connaught, Mayfair, on 2 February 2015 and reflect a broad cross section of hotels, restaurants, contract caterers and in-house catering establishments from various parts of the country:
- James O’Keeffe – Lainston House Hotel, Winchester
- Lukáš Andr – The Seafood Restaurant, Padstow
- Karen Weisheit – Cliveden House Hotel, Taplow
- Matthew Balman – Buckingham Palace, London
- Ronald Rosario – The Capital Hotel, London
- Nicholas Winfield – Le Manoir aux Quat Saisons, Oxford
- George Oates – Buckingham Palace, London
- Daniele Quattromini – Club Lounge 39, Canary Wharf, London
The Regional Finals tested contestants’ knowledge, experience and service skills in a variety of areas and scenarios including service priorities, cocktail making and recognising errors on a laid table. Competitors were also required to complete a written test as well as being interviewed by a panel of judges about their aspirations and work experience.
At the National Final, contestants will be expected to demonstrate their skills in mise en place, decanting, greeting guests, meal service, wine and beverage service and customer engagement. They will have to pit their skills at a lunch for respected guests and judges including Edward Griffiths CVO, Deputy Master of the Household at Buckingham Palace; Silvano Giraldin, Director at Roux Restaurants; and Alastair Storey, Chairman of lead sponsor BaxterStorey.
The winner of the prestigious competition will receive a year of expert mentoring including the rare opportunity to work side-by-side with industry greats. They will also have the chance to take part in high profile culinary events, tour French vineyards and serve in some of the world’s best restaurants over the course of a year.
The winner of the Gold Service Scholarship will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony at Claridge’s on 9 February 2014.
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