The Gold Service Scholarship exists to inspire, educate and nurture the UK’s finest Front of House talent. Alastair Storey, Chairman of the Scholarship, explains: “The Scholarship is designed to encourage front-of-house as a real career, and to help young people who already have a footing in the service sector to hone their skills and progress their career.”
The 2017 Gold Scholar is Stephanie Beresforde, announced last Tuesday evening, at a gala reception at Claridge’s Hotel, London.
Stephanie Beresforde has worked at Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant in Padstow, Cornwall, as Assistant Restaurant Manager since summer 2016. Prior to that, Stephanie was Chef de Rang at Scott’s Restaurant in Mayfair, London. She has now returned to London to lead the training of the front-of-house staff for Rick Stein’s new restaurant on the former site of The Depot, in Barnes, southwest London.
There were over 100 entries this year for The Gold Service Scholarship and during the competition process those 100 talented candidates were somehow whittled down to just eight finalists, before Stephanie was chosen by the judges as the winner. Edward Griffiths, Trustee and Chair of the Judges, commented: “Stephanie’s detailed product knowledge and service skills, along with her positive approach to her role at The Seafood Restaurant, identified her as a confident winner and an ideal Scholar.”
So what does it take to become a Gold Scholar? We asked Stephanie.
The first thing you notice with Stephanie is that she is a calm, self-assured and friendly young woman, she is also very easy to speak with which makes this exercise a relaxed one and a pleasure.
We began by discussing what motivated her to enter. Her boyfriend, Lukas Andr, entered in 2015 going all the way to the finals that year, Stephanie attended and was inspired to enter herself. In 2016 Stephanie did enter and made it through to the finals, where the judges awarded her with a ‘one to watch’ accolade, how prophetic.
We discussed what made her enter again in 2017, this is where Stephanie’s passion for our industry began to shine through. “I just loved the passion of the judges for our industry” she told me “it mirrors my own”. Later in the conversation she told me about the teambuilding she was planning in preparation for Rick Stein’s new restaurant in Barnes. Support for her team and those around her is strong.
Stephanie’s passion for our industry was most obvious however when she started to explain her approach to her Gold Scholarship winners treasure trove of experiences. The first of which is joining the Trustees and her employer at a private lunch at Coutts, this is to plan the coming year of work placements and mentoring sessions. Her enthusiasm and gratitude showed a real understanding of the privileges she has earned.
The list of experiences is extensive and includes a three-day work placement at Buckingham Palace during a State Visit. The one we both relished in while discussing, and what a conundrum this is, a work placement at The Waterside Inn or Le Gavroche restaurants, who could possibly choose?
Throughout our conversation Stephanie’s enthusiasm for our industry is evident as is her excitement for the year ahead especially her job with Rick Stein’s new restaurant launch. So Alistair Storey… if The Gold Service Scholarship is designed to encourage front-of-house as a real career, you and your fellow judges have chosen wisely, Stephanie will walk the Gold Scholarship walk inspiring those around her.
We wish Stephanie every success in her year ahead and now share the 2016 judge’s view that Stephanie certainly is one to watch.