2025 Scholar - Isabella Condon
Isabella Condon, junior assistant manager at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in London was named the 2025 Gold Service Scholar on Monday 10 February at an awards ceremony in Claridge’s hotel.
Condon, who is originally from Ireland and trained at the Shannon College of Hotel Management, joined the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park London hotel more than two years ago as a manager in training before being appointed junior assistant manager at the hotel’s two-Michelin-starred restaurant in 2024.
As the new Scholar, she will receive a range of prizes tailored to support her professional development including work experience at prestigious hotels and restaurants such as the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok and Hong Kong, an overseas Rocco Forte hotel, and the three-Michelin-starred Waterside Inn in Bray, Berkshire, as well as a trip to Laurent-Perrier in Champagne.
Further professional development opportunities include, a trip to Porto, courtesy of Graham’s Port; a bespoke development programme at EHL Hospitality Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland; and the opportunity to work a garden party at Buckingham Palace.
Andrea Di Gangi, assistant restaurant manager at the Corinthia London’s Northall restaurant, and Valentino Galdi, head waiter at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire, were also both named highly commended winning finalists at the awards ceremony.
Condon, said: “I’m so happy and totally lost for words. It’s an absolute privilege to work in this sector and do what we do. The opportunities this profession can provide is incredible and we’re all so fortunate to be able to work with some incredible people, doing a job that we love.”
“This has been yet another incredible year. Not only did we see a record-breaking number of entrants and hence, Winning Finalists but the fact that we have two highly commended candidates just tells you how high the standards were.”
Chair of the Gold Service Scholarship, Alastair Storey, said: “It is extremely encouraging that so many young people with such fantastic talent are joining and flourishing in our industry. It’s also wonderful to see so many business leaders willing to set aside their time and resource to help them build their careers and invest in their future.
We had a record number of winning finalists this year which demonstrates how standards in our sector are improving year on year.
It is also hugely important to note that our ‘Team Gold’ is now made up of around 100 people. The opportunities for development that this has opened up for our alumni both in the UK and globally has been remarkable.”
Commended Winning Finalists:
Andrea Di Gangi, Assistant Restaurant Manager, Northall restaurant, Corinthia London
Valentino Galdi, Head Waiter, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Great Milton, Oxfordshire
Winning Finalists:
Jacob Cranch, Restaurant Manager, The Tasting Room, Rathfinny Wine Estate, Sussex
Rogan Galea, Assistant Manager, The Strathearn, Gleneagles, Auchterarder, Perthshire
Charlotte Hughes, Head Waiter, The Grill by Tom Booton at the Dorchester, London
James Kenny, Food and Beverage Duty Manager, Killeavy Castle Estate, Newry, South Armagh
Rebecca Panza, restaurant supervisor, Claridge’s Restaurant, London
Delphine Vielrecobre, Head Waiter, Pétrus by Gordon Ramsay, London
Huw Williams, Sommelier, The Woodspeen, Newbury, Berkshire
