Jupiter Humphrey-Bishop, from the Royal Household, has been named the winner of the 2023 Gold Service Scholarship.
The announcement was made at a gala reception at Claridge’s on 15 February, which was attended by 250 hospitality industry professionals, and follows several months of assessments and judging.
Charlotte Bailey, fine dining head waiter at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, and Robin Tola, head waiter from Hélène Darroze at the Connaught, were the two commended finalists.
The Gold Service Scholarship launched in 2012 and is designed to inspire, educate and develop the UK’s young front of house talent.
Edward Griffiths, chairman of the judges, said: "Huge congratulations to such a worthy 2023 Scholar and our two impressive commended winning finalists! Again, this year brought us such an impressive level of talent throughout the competition.
“In celebrating the achievements of all eight winning finalists, we also had an amazing number of semi-finalists, whose level of skills were so close to our final eight. It is commendable to see the continued growth in talent in service, and an endorsement to the career opportunities in this great profession.”
Chairman of the trustees, Alastair Storey, said: “Having just marked a decade of celebrating the phenomenal talent who have engaged with the Gold Service Scholarship, I am increasingly proud to work in this industry.
“I am also, however, one of many who has concerns for our future workforce, and therefore want to wholeheartedly encourage young people to join our dynamic industry, and to recognise that a career in hospitality is rewarding, fascinating, fun, and challenging.
“This year’s group of candidates, and especially the winning finalists, will play their own part as mentors to encourage, endorse and even recruit into hospitality roles – they are the future leaders.”
The annual competition is open to individuals aged 22-28 who work full-time in front of house food and beverage service in the UK hospitality industry and want to further their careers under the mentorship of the trustees, judges, and supporters of the scholarship.
Over the last decade, candidates and eventual winning finalists and scholars have come from a range of hotels and restaurants across the UK, as well as large event and foodservice companies, Royal Palaces, and private clubs.
The current Trustees of the Gold Service Scholarship are Alastair Storey, Edward Griffiths, Alessandro Fasoli, Lydia Forte, Silvano Giraldin, Thomas Kochs, Sergio Rebecchi, and Knut Wylde.
The other finalists who took part in the final in January 2023, are:
Giulia d’Angelo, waitress/sommelier, Trivet Restaurant
Ryan Kenyon, restaurant manager, Coast Saundersfoot
Lynn van Logtestijn, head waiter, Core by Clare Smyth
Daniela Mayer, assistant restaurant manager, Strathearn Restaurant, Gleneagles
Kevin Ricou, head waiter, the Ritz London