The Trustees of the Gold Service Scholarship have announced the list of successful candidates who have proceeded to the Semi Final stage of the 2019 competition.
Drawing from the breadth of the UK, and from such diverse hospitality businesses as hotels and restaurants, private clubs, the RAF and the Royal Household, the 42 candidates will now undertake a new series of tests, challenges and interviews at the Semi Finals, which will take place on Monday, 26 November at Rosewood London.
Commenting on the group of candidates vying to be the coveted 2019 Scholar, Chairman of the Judges Edward Griffiths stated: “It has been such an impressive group of young professionals making it through to the Semi Finals this year – in fact, it was a very tough task to whittle the original 100 applicants down to the Semi Final stage, so much so that we increased the numbers from the normal 32 to 42. It was impossible to eliminate more at this juncture. The next stage of the competition is going to be very exciting!”
The mix of Semi Final candidates hails from Michelin-starred establishments to smart pubs, both city centre and country house hotels, and high-profile clubs, with a wide variety of food and beverage positions and responsibilities. All aged between 22 and 28, they represent a new generation of aspirational professionals who recognise that the experience of engaging with the Gold Service Scholarship will allow them access to some of the industry’s most senior members and will enable them to hone their own particular skill sets in F&B and front-of-house.
Current Scholar Michael Staub has progressed in management within Rosewood Hotels, and recently transferred from Rosewood London to Rosewood Sand Hill in San Francisco this past summer. Michael cites his Scholar win as one of the most significant in his career to date, explaining that “winning the competition has been a true honour and has opened many, many doors for me”.
The Final of the competition will take place on 21 January 2019 at Corinthia Hotel London, where eight candidates will vie for the winning Scholar accolade. That will be announced and presented on 4 February 2019 at Claridge’s with dozens of leading industry figures in attendance.
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