Soho House founder Nick Jones to speak at Gold Service Scholarship 2027 launch event

Soho House founder Nick Jones and restaurateur Martin Kuczmarski are among those due to speak at the Gold Service Scholarship 2027 launch next month.

The event will take place between 3pm and 6pm at Four Seasons Park Lane in London on 7 September and follows entries opening for the prestigious competition celebrating young front of house professionals on 4 September.

Both Jones and Kuczmarski worked together at Soho House and have since launched their own projects. This summer, Jones launched St Clement hotel on the Strand in London, while Kuczmarski has been expanding hospitality group Difficult Name, which consists of the Dover, Dover Street Counter and Martino’s in London.

They will be joined by restaurant critic and broadcaster Grace Dent alongside Sam Ward, managing director of Simon Rogan’s restaurant group, who has worked in front-of-house roles across the Ritz London and L’Enclume.

The Gold Service Scholarship is open to those aged between 22 and 30 working full-time in food and beverage service in the UK.

Entrants are assessed on a range of front-of-house disciplines, including table setting, menu knowledge and practical food and beverage service.

Winning finalists become part of Team Gold, the Scholarship’s alumni network.

Alastair Storey, chair of the Gold Service Scholarship, said: “We are incredibly delighted to have Nick, Martin, Grace and Sam joining us to launch this year’s Gold Service Scholarship. 

“Between them, they represent very different sides of our industry, but they share an understanding of just how important exceptional service and brilliant people are to creating memorable hospitality.

“The Gold Service Scholarship is so special as it gives young professionals access to people and experiences that can genuinely shape their careers. This launch is a perfect example of that.

“We want ambitious front-of-house professionals across the UK to see the Scholarship and think: this is for me. Whether they ultimately become our Scholar or simply progress through the competition, our aim is that everyone who takes part learns, develops and becomes even more excited about what a career in hospitality can offer.”

The launch event is open to candidates and managers who have colleagues interested in applying. To attend the event, please email louise@thegoldservicescholarship.co.uk.

The Gold Service Scholarship was founded in 2012.