Gold Service Scholarship announces 2017 semi-finalists
Now in its fifth year, the programme recognises the skills of young front-of-house professionals working in the hospitality industry.
The Queen - who is patron of the scholarship - presented the 2016 awards at a special ceremony at Claridges.
This year 60 candidates were selected from a record number of applications to take part in the quarter finals at London’s Hotel Cafe Royal on 7 November.
Just 27 have made it through to the semi-finals at the Rosewood Hotel on 28 November.
Edward Griffiths, chair of the Gold Service Schlarship Judges, praised the ‘absolutely amazing’ standard of applicants this year.
Sergio Rebecchi, a Gold Service Scholarship Trustee, said: “The first sessions were very exciting indeed, with a record number of confident candidates from throughout the country.
“It was encouraging to see such passion for the industry.”
The 2017 semi-finalists are:
Julien Arribillaga - Chef-de-Rang, Fera, Claridges, London
Stephanie Beresforde - Assistant Restaurant Manager, The Seafood Restaurant, Padstow, Cornwall
Ashley Best - Food & Beverage Management Trainee, The Ritz, London
Lee Brunt - Restaurant Manager, Lough Erne Resort, Enniskillen, NI
Alexandra-Iulia Caciuc - Head Waitress, 45 Jermyn Street at Fortnum & Mason, London
Rhianna Chilton - Assistant Restaurant Manager, Rafters Restaurant, Sheffield
Laudy Gibba-Smith - Chef-de-Rang, L'Enclume, Cartmel, Cumbria
Helen Graham - Senior Footman, The Royal Household, Buckingham Palace, London
Morag Hamilton - Caterer, RAF Waddington, Lincoln
Alan Hynes - Food & Beverage Supervisor, The Dorchester, London
Flora John - Hospitality and Events Supervisor, Restaurant Associates, London
Giuseppe Laboragine - Assistant Restaurant Manager, Pétrus, London
Manuel Marchetti - Assistant Maître d'Hôtel, The Waterside Inn, Bray, Berkshire
George McGettigan - Junior Floor Manager, CUT at 45 Park Lane, London
Adam Musgrave - Chef de Rang, Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon, Fortnum & Mason, London
Tom Noller - Assistant Restaurant Manager, Merchants Tavern, London
Luis Oliveira Santos - Restaurant Supervisor, Rosewood London, London
Paula Sobusiak - Restaurant Supervisor, Outlaw's at The Capital Hotel, London
Alexandra Spatar - Restaurant Supervisor, The Woodspeen Restaurant & Cookery School, Newbury, Berkshire
Alan Tang - Assistant Restaurant Manager, Hotel Café Royal, London
Nina Thomsen - Junior Sommelier, L'Enclume, Cartmel, Cumbria
Aurelien Torresan - Maître d'Hôtel Junior, Le Gavroche, London
Reka Varga - Head Waitress, Fenchurch Restaurant, Sky Garden, London
David Daniel Wallace - Floor Manager, Holborn Dining Room, Rosewood, London
Thomas Wickens - Supervisor, The Collins Room, The Berkeley, London
Nicholas Winfield - Assistant Head Waiter, Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, Great Milton, Oxon
William Yarney - Restaurant Manager, The Woodford, London
