Clare Smyth, Tom Kerridge, Fay Maschler, and TopJaw’s Jesse Burgess will be joined by Marc Socker and Eugenio Pirri speaking at an event marking the launch of this year’s Gold Service Scholarship.
Taking place at 3pm on 2 September at the Corinthia London hotel, the event will bring together some of the leading names in the sector to launch the UK’s only dedicated front-of-house competition.
Clare Smyth, owner of three-Michelin-starred restaurant Core in London, will be joined by Tom Kerridge, of Kerridge’s Bar & Grill at the Corinthia London and the UK’s only two-Michelin-starred pub the Hand and Flowers in Marlow, to discuss front-of-house service, trends, their experience of service in their careers, what makes great service, and its importance to the hospitality industry.
Also speaking at the event will be social media sensation Jesse Burgess (one half of TopJaw alongside Will Warr), as well as Maybourne Hotel Group CEO Marc Socker, famed Tatler restaurant critic Fay Maschler, and Dorchester Collection CEO Eugenio Pirri.
Competition details
The Gold Service Scholarship is open to those aged 22-28 working full-time in the UK in front-of-house food and beverage service. 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 top hospitality professionals, with trustees including Alastair Storey, founder and chair of WSH; former deputy master of the Royal Household Edward Griffiths; managing director of the Corinthia London Thomas Kochs; Lydia Forte, group director of food and beverage at Rocco Forte Hotels; legendary maitre d’s Silvano Giraldin and Sergio Rebecchi; managing director of WSH Restaurants Alessandro Fasoli; and former Berkeley hotel general manager Knut Wylde.
Prizes on offer
Winning finalists will benefit from educational trips to the EHL Hospitality Business School in Switzerland where they will undertake a bespoke four-day course, as well as a study trip with Graham’s Port to Porto and the Douro valley, and automatic membership to the competition’s Team Gold alumni network.
They will also benefit from the opportunity to stage at leading restaurants in the UK, including Core by Clare Smyth and The Ritz London, and work a garden party at Buckingham Palace.
The Scholar will additionally receive a bespoke programme of learning opportunities, with the chance to stage at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, an overseas Rocco Forte hotel, the three-Michelin-starred Waterside Inn in Bray, work at a state visit, and a trip to Champagne with Laurent Perrier.
All who make it to the quarter and semi-finals will also receive professional development workshops and training.
Invaluable mentoring and networking
Last year’s winner, Scott Crowe, said: “I am so grateful for the GSS and the team behind it. The mentoring and professional network that surrounds you once you are part of the family is invaluable.
“Being named the Scholar has changed my life in so many amazing ways. The educational trips and experiences are those of dreams, such as visiting the Douro valley, Champagne, EHL and stages in world class establishments.
“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.”
The closing date for applications is 1 October 2024, with a series of quarter and semi-finals to follow. The final will take place at the Corinthia London in January 2025.
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.”
Forthcoming dates
– Call for entries: Monday 2 September 2024
– Entry closing date: Tuesday 1 October 2024
– Quarter-finals: Monday 21 & Saturday 26 October 2024, spread over two days. Candidates will only be required to attend one of the sessions.
– Semi-final: Friday 29 November 2024
– Development seminar: January 2025 – The Corinthia London
– Final: January 2025 – The Corinthia London
– Awards ceremony: February 2025 – Claridge’s London
