Thomas Gammella announced as 2022 Gold Service Scholar

The trustees and judges of the Gold Service Scholarship have announced that Thomas Gammella, restaurant manager at the Clockspire in Sherborne, Somerset, is the winner of the 2022 young front of house professionals competition.

The awards reception was held at Claridge’s in London’s Mayfair on 15 February, where more than 200 senior figures of the UK hospitality profession gathered to congratulate the 2022 scholar.

Gammella proved to be “a particularly noteworthy candidate through the entire process”. He joined the Clockspire as deputy restaurant manager, prior to which he worked in Milan as a waiter at both Ristorante Da Palmiro and Da Regina Irio, and as a trainee at Hotel dei Giardini.

Alastair Storey, chairman of the Gold Service Scholarship, said: “Each year, the Gold Service Scholarship attracts some of the young leading lights of our industry, with the anticipation of learning new skills and contacts throughout the competition. I am so impressed with the quality of the applicants and their enthusiasm for hospitality.

“But we need many more young people to consider hospitality as a career – and we want to encourage students to realise that there are many dynamic opportunities in restaurants, hotels, catering companies and so many other hospitality outlets, where they can build an exciting career.”

Special commendation was also awarded to two finalists: Manon Gaillard, senior footman at the Royal Household, and Harry Champion, private members’ club manager of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.

Chairman of the judges Edward Griffiths said: “Thomas Gammella has shown himself to be a very personable and confident young man, with great front of house service skills, and he is a worthy scholar. The judging process was once again a difficult task, faced with eight winning finalists, and all with such wonderful talent.

“They should all be proud of their achievement as we celebrate Thomas as the scholar, and Manon Gaillard and Harry Champion as commended finalists. As we mark our 10th anniversary, we are encouraged to see such talent continuing to shine in our industry.”

Gammella will enjoy a range of prizes including work experience at Buckingham Palace and the Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok, an educational visit to Laurent-Perrier and a four-day specialised course together with all finalists at Lausanne Hotel School.

Trustee Sergio Rebecchi added: “The unique educational opportunities Thomas has earned will be of great benefit to achieve his goals in his chosen career path in hospitality.”

The scholarship was launched in 2012 and its patron is Her Majesty the Queen, while the trustees include hospitality professionals Alastair Storey, Willy Bauer, Edward Griffiths, Sergio Rebecchi, Silvano Giraldin, Thomas Kochs, Knut Wylde and Alessandro Fasoli.

The scholarship celebrates the craft of front-of-house service in food and beverage, and nurtures young talent through tailored mentoring.