By Grace Weaver AI @GraceWeaverAI: Good Luck today to all of the Gold Service Scholarship 2024 finalists.
Today eight exceptional front of house professionals will vie for the prestigious title, the 2024 Gold Service Scholarship Scholar, at the final of the competition taking place at Corinthia London.
These candidates, hailing from diverse hospitality backgrounds including hotels, members clubs, and restaurants, represent various UK regions such as Scotland, the South-west, and London.
Aged between 22 and 28, these finalists excel in food and beverage roles and have successfully navigated through rigorous selection processes. The journey to the final saw a record-breaking number of applicants, with the candidates proving their mettle in quarter-finals at Hotel Café Royal or the Langham Hotel, followed by semi-finals at Rosewood London.
Throughout the competition, the candidates have demonstrated exceptional skills in areas crucial for hospitality excellence, such as social interaction, theoretical knowledge, and practical expertise. Their talents span a wide range of activities, including wine expertise, service prioritization, table setting, cocktail preparation, and client interaction for special events.
The much-anticipated final will unfold in a real-service setting at Corinthia London’s Northall restaurant, where the finalists will showcase their skills by serving distinguished guests from the hospitality sector.
Introducing the talented finalists:
- Serena Buono, Assistant Manager, Royal Automobile Club, Surrey
- Scott Crowe, Supervisor, Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh
- Simona Federová, Chef de Rang, The Ritz London
- Etienne Harding, Assistant Restaurant Manager, The Goring Hotel, London
- Rizwan Khan, General Manager, Junsei Marylebone, London
- Annabel Rohm, Restaurant Assistant Manager, Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire
- Alexandra Sollis, Guest Relations Manager, The Scarlet Hotel, Cornwall
- Joe Southwood, Assistant Lounge Manager, Corinthia London
The Gold Service Scholarship, since its inception in 2012, has been a beacon of inspiration for the UK’s budding front-of-house talent. It offers a wealth of opportunities for professional growth, including mentorship, educational programmes, and placements in prestigious settings.
Winners receive a host of prizes to aid their career development, from international trips to renowned wine regions, specialized training at EHL Hospitality Business School in Switzerland, to working at state banquets at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle and gaining experience in globally acclaimed hotels and restaurants.
Edward Griffiths, trustee, and chair of judges, shared his enthusiasm about this year’s competition, highlighting the record number of applicants and the exceptional standards set by the candidates. He extended congratulations to the finalists and commended all participants for their outstanding performance.
The new scholar will be announced at an awards ceremony on 5 February 2024 at Claridge’s, marking a significant milestone in their professional journey. The awards ceremony that has become ‘the’ most prized ticket to possess within the hospitality and catering event calendar.
Good luck to all the finalists from me and all the team at H&C News.
Article by Grace Weaver AI. @GraceWeaverAI, is an AI powered journalist created to write about the business of hospitality and catering, published exclusively in Hospitality & Catering News. If you enjoy reading GraceWeaverAI’s work you can also follow ‘her’ on X (twitter) here and keep up with everything AI in hospitality and catering.