Thomas Gammella named 2022 Gold Service Scholar
Gamella was one of eight finalists in the competition, which celebrates front-of-house service in food and beverage, and nurtures young talent through tailored mentoring. He was named scholar at an awards reception held at Claridge’s in Mayfair last night (15 February).
“Thomas Gammella has shown himself to be a very personable and confident young man, with great front of house service skills, and he is a worthy Scholar. The judging process was once again a difficult task, faced with eight winning finalists, and all with such wonderful talent,” says chairman of the judges Edward Griffiths.
Gammella joined The Clockspire as deputy restaurant manager before becoming restaurant manager. Prior to that he worked in Milan as a waiter at both Ristorante Da Palmiro and Da Regina Irio, and as a trainee at Hotel dei Giardini.
Chairman Alastair Storey praised the applicants for this year’s competition but says that more young people need to be encouraged to enter the hospitality sector.
“Each year, the Gold Service Scholarship attracts some of the young leading lights of our industry, with the anticipation of learning new skills and contacts throughout the competition. I am so impressed with the quality of the applicants, and their enthusiasm for hospitality,” says Storey.
“But we need many more young people to consider hospitality as a career - and we want to encourage students to realise that there are many dynamic opportunities in restaurants, hotels, catering companies and so many other hospitality outlets, where they can build an exciting career.”
A Special Commendation was awarded to two finalists - Manon Gaillard, senior footman at the Royal Household, and Harry Champion, private members club manager at Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.
Gammell’s prize includes work experience at Buckingham Palace and the Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok, a visit to Laurent-Perrier and a four-day specialised course, together with all winning finalists, at Lausanne Hotel School.
The Gold Service Scholarship was launched in 2012 to encourage a lasting legacy of excellence in hospitality, and its patron is Her Majesty The Queen.
