Acorn Scholarship 2013 opens for entries

The self-nominated independent award was created by previous winners of Caterer & Hotelkeeper’s Acorn award, and four of the past ten winners have gone on to win a Caterer Acorn.

For 2013, there are four scholarship prizes to be won across the categories of bars and restaurants; hotels; contract catering; and pubs. They are open to UK residents who are able to work in the UK without restriction.

The four winners will each receive a £2,000 bursary to fund their professional development, along with coaching sessions with Learnpurple managing director Jane Sunley.

And that is not all. Winners will also benefit from an educational trip to sponsor Villeroy & Boch in Luxembourg, a development lunch with leading industry figures, a designated mentor for their year as a scholar, Springboard UK Ambassador training â€" and a free year’s subscription to Caterer & Hotelkeeper.

The 2012 Acorn scholar is 28-year-old Simon Houston, who works for contract caterer BaxterStorey. “I’ve met some great contacts through the Acorn Scholarship and have a better understanding of some of the challenges facing contract caterers,” Houston commented.

“Winning has also allowed me the opportunity to meet a number of like-minded catering professionals who all share a similar passion in food! “

Would-be winners for 2013 should enter online by the deadline of 19 October. Twelve finalists will be selected from the online submissions to compete for the scholarships on 26 November before a panel of judges that include Michael Caines of Gidleigh Park, Bath Priory and Abode Hotels; James Horler, chief executive of 3SixtyRestaurants; Sean Wheeler of the Dorchester Collection; and William Baxter of BaxterStorey.

Along with the companies listed above, the sponsors for the scholarship include Unilever Food Solutions and William MurrayÂ

For more information, visit www.acornscholarship.org.uk/applynow
Simon Houston wins 2012 Acorn Scholarship Our trip to Luxembourg - thank you Villeroy & Boch!
Joel Fagg of Barcelo named Acorn Scholar 2011****My Scholarship Year To Date = Winning - March 2011

By Angela Frewin

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