Seven entrants to the Gold Service Scholarship 2014 have been selected to compete in the national final. The competition – supported by lead sponsor BaxterStorey and now in its second 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 25 at the regional heats in London by an elite judging panel, will go head-to-head at The Connaught, Mayfair on 3 February 2014.
The national finalists
Adam Hersey, 25, Assistant Restaurant and Bar Manager at Brocket Hall Golf Club in Hertfordshire
Daniele Quattromini, 23, Trainee Hospitality Manager at Lusso Catering in London
George Oates, 24, Footman at The Royal Household, Buckingham Palace
Julien Gardin, 29, Junior Assistant Restaurant Manager at The Fat Duck in Berkshire
Joana Maria Pons Gari, 28, Head Waitress at Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles in Perthshire
James Fleming, 24, Chef de Rang at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxford
Devid Isabella, 30, Assistant Restaurant Manager at The Ritz Hotel in London
The final
At the final, contestants will be expected to demonstrate their skills in mise en place, decanting, reception service, 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, Deputy Master of the Household at Buckingham Palace; Sergio Rebecchi, Director at restaurants Incognico and Quirinale; and Alastair Storey, Chairman of lead sponsor BaxterStorey and the UK’s ‘Most Powerful Person in Hospitality 2013’.
The prize
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 such as Diego Masciaga at The Waterside Inn and Emmanuel Landre and Silvano Giraldin at Le Gavroche. 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.
Importance of Front of House
Willy Bauer OBE, Founder of the Gold Service Scholarship and Chairman of AB Hotels, said:
“The Gold Service Scholarship is a unique competition designed to show young people how important and enjoyable front of house can be and to make the rest of the country sit up and take notice of it as a respectable and skilled career path. The Scholarship provides an unbeatable opportunity for young professionals within the hospitality industry to showcase their many talents and be encouraged to aim high in their careers.
“I look forward to seeing the future ambassadors of our industry at the national final.”