Gold Service Scholarship 2014 now open for entries
The Gold Service Scholarship, aimed at promoting excellence in restaurant service, has today opened for entries to the 2014 competition
Now in its second year, the Gold Service Scholarship is seeking the next rising star in front of house hospitality after it crowned Gleneagles restaurant supervisor Rebecca Dibben the first national winner in February.
Industry heavyweights such as Catey winners Willy Bauer, Silvano Giraldin, Fred Sirieix and Alastair Storey are once again backing the initiative, which invites 22-30 year olds working in the UK in any aspect of restaurant service, including hotels, high-street restaurants, fine-dining, contract catering, licensed hospitality and clubs, to nominate themselves.
The winner of the competition will be given the opportunity to work side-by-side with a number of the supporters, as well as take part in prestigious culinary events, tour French vineyards and serve in some of the world's best restaurants over the course of a year.
Current title-holder Rebecca Dibben commented: "Winning the scholarship has opened up so many opportunities for me and I'm so grateful to have been given the chance to work with the likes of Michel and Alain Roux at such prestigious events and venues, including Le Gavroche and the Waterside Inn.
"Becoming a chef is aspirational and restaurants are often known for the great food on offer, but I'd like to see people visiting restaurants because of the great service they receive from highly skilled front of house professionals. I urge anyone in the service industry to enter the competition to be in for a chance of winning this once in a lifetime experience."
The competition is made up of four parts, beginning with an online test comprising multiple-choice questions and simple photo analysis. Regional heats will take place on 22 and 27 November where shortlisted competitors will be asked to perform basic service tasks and a question and answer session with the judges, followed by a one-day master class for finalists.
The national final at is set to be held at the Connaught hotel in Mayfair on 3 February 2014, where contestants will demonstrate their skills to the judges and invited guests at a special lunch. The winner will be announced at an awards ceremony on 10 February 2014 at Claridge's.
For further information about The Gold Service Scholarship and full details on how to enter, visit www.thegoldservicescholarship.co.uk. The deadline for entries is 30 September.
