The Gold Service Scholarship was set up in 2012 to educate and nurture front of house talent aged 22 to 28.

The winner of the 2022 scholarship, Thomas Gammella, is an Italian Restaurant Manager based in Somerset, while the Chef De Rang at Number One at The Balmoral in Edinburgh, Dawid Szczucki, reached the semi-finals.

The judging panel is made up of hospitality experts. Lead judge Lydia Forte says, “My grandfather Charles Forte established the Lord Forte Foundation in 1987 to encourage excellence within the fields of hospitality. The foundation is an ongoing sponsor of the scholarship so it is great to continue being involved generations later. The scholarship is a fantastically run organisation which helps to promote our amazing industry. Thomas excelled and deserved to win.”

Feeling inspired? Then sign up for 2023 before Tuesday 4th October 2022. Even if you don’t win, the process is a great opportunity to network and learn new skills.

The quarter finals and semi-finals take place in luxury hotels in London, during which applicant complete challenges ranging from laying tables to making cocktails. The final is a full lunch service served to industry veterans and scholarship trustees.

All finalists receive a hospitality course at EHL Swiss School of Tourism & Hospitality in Switzerland, sponsored by the Lord Forte Foundation, and a trip to a vineyard or a similar experience.

The prize is an internship at a venue of the winner’s choice. The award will be announced in a glittering awards ceremony at a luxury hotel in London – proving that all that glitters is gold.

For more information on The Gold Service Scholarship, visit @goldscholarship on Instagram.