Star chefs Clare Smyth and Tom Kerridge will join food critic Fay Maschler and social media man Jesse Burgess at an event to launch this year’s Gold Service Scholarship, a prestigious award for front of house hospitality professionals.
Many of the leading names in the sector will open the competition at the Corinthia London on September 2. The scholarship, open to those aged 22-28 and working full-time in the industry, seeks to provide membership and additional training to young people at the top of their game.
During the competition, entrants will be assessed on their front of house skills, from table setting and menu knowledge to practical food and beverage service skills.
They will benefit from the mentorship of senior figures in hospitality, including Lydia Forte of Rocco Forte Hotels, Alastair Storey, founder and chair of Westbury Street Holdings, and legendary maitre d’s Silvano Giraldin and Sergio Rebecchi.
Finalists will benefit from educational trips to leading hospitality schools in Switzerland and Portugal, short-term placements at Smyth’s London restaurant Core and the Ritz hotel, and a day working at a Buckingham Palace garden party.
The overall winner will be rewarded with temporary positions at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok and the three-Michelin-starred Waterside Inn, a trip to Champagne with Laurent Perrier, and to work at a state visit.
Last year’s winner Scott Crowe said: “I am so grateful for the scholarship and the team behind it. The mentoring and professional network that surrounds you is invaluable.
“Being named the Scholar has changed my life in so many amazing ways. If you are eligible to apply, I’d urge you to do so. There really is nothing else like this anywhere else in the world. You get the chance to showcase your talents in front of the industry’s finest, learn new skills and grow your confidence in this industry we all love.”
At the Corinthia event, Marc Socker, CEO of the Maybourne Hotel Group, and Dorchester Collection CEO Eugenio Pirri will introduce this year’s scholarship and open it to applications, which are open until October 1.
The likes of Smyth and Kerridge will discuss front-of-house service, trends, their experience of service in their careers, what makes great service, and its importance to the hospitality industry.
After judging rounds, heats and finals, the 2025 scholar will be announced in February at an awards reception at Claridge’s hotel in London.
Edward Griffiths, trustee and chairman of judges, said: “My fellow trustees and I are delighted to be joined by such esteemed hospitality professionals to launch this year’s competition, who can demonstrate the heights you can reach and achievements possible through a career in the sector.
“We hope they will help us to inspire young up-and-coming talent to enter the Gold Service Scholarship and allow us to support and nurture their skills and development to help them achieve their own goals and aspirations.”
