The Gold Service Scholarship is pleased to announce that the 2016 competition is now open for entries. The competition, which recognises the very best of front of house service, is open to all those aged between 22 and 28 years old who work front of house in any food and beverage sector from hotels, restaurants and clubs to food service management and fine dining. The deadline for entries is Wednesday, 30th September 2015.
Young people expressing their talents
Edward Griffiths, CVO, Chairman of the Judges panel is keen to encourage more applications this year: “The Scholarship has grown year on year. We have seen such tremendous support and sponsorship from throughout the industry, and we are so pleased to see an ongoing improvement in the standards and quality of front of house service and more young people expressing their talents in this competition.”
Any part of the hospitality industry
Sue Thompson, one of the Competition Group Judges and Operations Director at Restaurant Associates, said: “We are encouraging everybody to enter. Entrants can be from any part of the hospitality industry. The 2015 winner is from a contract catering background, but you can also work in the Armed Services, casual dining, fine dining, restaurants or hotels. Just give it a go!”
Bespoke prize package
Now in its fourth year, The Gold Service Scholarship is an annual competition for young, front of house professionals working in the hospitality industry. The winner will receive a bespoke prize package with a range of mentoring opportunities, travel and placements from a group of the most senior service professionals in the world.
2015 Winner Daniele Quattromini, Manager, ClubLounge39, said: “Winning was one of the most proud moments of my life. Since winning The Gold Service Scholarship, I have had some fantastic experiences including a trip to Champagne with the other finalists and recently, I have arrived back from a brilliant stage at the Waterside Inn. I have plans to work at Buckingham Palace at the State Banquet later in the year which I am very excited about. As a result of my Gold Service Scholarship win, I now have access to experiences that I wouldn’t have had if I didn’t enter the competition.”
Inspiring a new generation
The Gold Service Scholarship was set up to inspire a new generation of future front of house professionals to view the industry as a viable career option. Founded by Alastair Storey, key sponsor and Competition Chairman, and Willy Bauer, Chairman of AB Hotels, the competition was launched in 2012 together with fellow Trustees and key industry professionals, Silvano Giraldin, Sara Jayne Stanes, Edward Griffiths, John Davey and Sergio Rebecchi. In 2015, Thomas Kochs, General Manager of Claridge’s joined as the eighth Trustee.
The competition will run between September 2015 and February 2016. Entrants will be required to complete a series of written tasks and service challenges that form qualification to the regional final, to be held at the Langham Hotel. The national final is then held at the Connaught Hotel and the 2016 winner will be announced in February 2016 at the prestigious awards ceremony held at Claridges.
To enter and for more information on the competition click here
For more information and terms and conditions click here