Gold Service Scholarship 2023 finalists announced

Eight finalists have been announced for the 2023 Gold Service Scholarship, the competition for young, front-of-house professionals.

They were selected through a series of interviews and skills tests overseen by a panel of judges, led by chairman Edward Griffiths.

Tasks included decanting a bottle of wine; deciding service priorities; preparing a table; presenting a bottle of champagne; and explaining a three-course menu within eight minutes.

The eight successful finalists are:

• Charlotte Bailey, fine dining head waiter, Le Manor aux Quat’Saisons, Oxfordshire

• Giulia D’Angelo, assistant manager, Trivet restaurant, London

• Jupiter Humphrey-Bishop, footman, the Royal Household

• Ryan Kenyon, restaurant manager, Coast Saundersfoot

• Daniela Mayer, assistant restaurant manager, Strathearn restaurant, Gleneagles hotel

• Kevin Ricou, head waiter, the Ritz London

• Robin Tola, head waiter, Hélène Darroze at the Connaught, London

• Lynn van Logtestijn, head waiter, Core by Clare Smyth, London

Griffiths said: “Congratulations to all our contestants, and a special mark of merit to the winning finalists. Seeing this level of talent among all these young professionals only endorses our belief that we must continue to nurture these young leaders of the future.”

Sergio Rebecchi, trustee of the Gold Service Scholarship, said: “The employers, managers and sponsors of each candidate deserve special praise for their support for the Gold Service Scholarship, in recognising and encouraging the next generation of hospitality leaders.”

The finals of the Gold Service Scholarship will take place on 16 January at Corinthia London hotel.

The new scholar will then be announced at the awards reception on 15 February at Claridge’s in London’s Mayfair.

The winner will be invited to Champagne Laurent-Perrier and undertake work placements at venues including Buckingham Palace and the Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok.

The Gold Service Scholarship was launched in 2012 to celebrate and raise the profile of young front of house professionals.