2016 Scholar – Jennifer Santner
Jennifer Santner was awarded the fourth Gold Service Scholarship by Her Majesty The Queen, at a celebratory awards ceremony held at Claridge’s.
The 2019 Gold Service Scholarship was a particularly competitive year, according to the Trustees and Judges, with eight Finalists who all exhibited tremendous skill and personality. While each Finalist is indeed a winner, it was Karen Cross who excelled to achieve the accolade in the Scholarship’s 7th year.
“As Patron of the Gold Service Scholarship I am pleased to note the success of the Trust’s work and to see that, in a relatively short space of time, it has raised the profile of hospitality and service skills in the United Kingdom. By recognising the country’s best talent, the Gold Service Scholarship encourages people to improve their skills and then to pass on their knowledge to others. The Scholarship also aims to motivate aspiring professionals so that service and hospitality will increasingly become one of the top career choices for young people.”
Her Majesty The Queen, Patron of The Gold Service Scholarship
At the time of winning Jennifer was the Restaurant Manager at Fenchurch Restaurant Sky Garden, but has since gone on to take up the role of Restaurant Manager Lecture Room and Library at Sketch. following her well deserved achievement Jennifer received a year of expert mentoring from industry greats such as Diego Masciaga at The Waterside Inn and Silvano Giraldin, Director of Le Gavroche. She also work with the Royal Household at a state occasion, spent a weeks working at the Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpa, and visited the vineyards of Champagne to enhance her skills in all aspects of front of house service and customer experience.
Jennifer Santner, winner of The Gold Service Scholarship 2016, said: “I am thrilled to have been chosen as the Scholar for 2016. I have enjoyed every moment of this competition and cannot wait to start planning my Scholarship programme. I am sure that the next year will be a fantastic learning experience. I am looking forward to working alongside senior industry professionals in so many renowned venues and establishments and making the most of this opportunity.”
Jennifer Santner competed alongside seven other national finalists at The Connaught, Mayfair to secure the sought-after title. The final service challenge consisted of planning, preparing and serving a three-course lunch, including Champagne and wines, to a table of four industry professionals.
As winner, Jennifer Santner, becomes an ambassador for the hospitality industry and an example of the potential success and rewards that a career in front of house service can offer.
Romain Pottier, Director of Restaurants at Rhubarb, the employer of this year’s winner Jennifer Santner, said: “I am really proud of Jennifer and her success in this year’s Gold Service Scholarship competition. At Fenchurch Restaurant, we prioritise front of house service skills to ensure that the guest’s experience of the food and our restaurant is excellent. We have been excited to support Jennifer throughout her Gold Service Scholarship experience and look forward to seeing her develop and have some amazing experiences with her Scholarship prize.”
“This is the fourth year of The Gold Service Scholarship and on behalf of all the Trustees I would like to thank everyone involved for their outstanding support.”
Sergio Rebecchi, Gold Service Scholarship Trustee and Director of Serenata Hospitality
“It has been exciting to see this year’s finalists progress through the competition and to see the high level of service excellence that exists in the hospitality industry. It was a tough decision but we are delighted to present Jennifer Santner with the Scholarship this evening and I look forward to seeing how she makes the most of her Scholarship experience.”
Thomas Kochs, Gold Service Scholarship Trustee
In May 2017, Jennifer moved on from Sky Garden to take up the position of Restaurant Manager in the Lecture Room and Library at Sketch. She was there for nearly two years before moving on to Angler Restaurant at South Place Hotel, in October 2018, where she is the Restaurant Manager.
The one to watch
The one who has developed most through the competition
James Parums – Buckingham Palace, London
In recognition of his developing service skills
Christoph Schrottenbaum – Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, London
Each received a structured development programme with mentoring, in addition to the development programme being extended to all 2016 Finalists, who are detailed below:
Innes Haywood – L’Enclume, Cumbria
Charlie Lee – Fera at Claridge’s, London
Tom Noller – Sexy Fish, London
Sophia Warland – RAF Odiham, Hampshire
