The competition, which is open to 22 to 30 year-olds working in UK restaurant service, aims to promote front-of-house service and inspire young people to follow a career path in hospitality.
The 29 finalists will compete in the regional finals at the University of West London on 18 and 19 November, when they will be tested in a variety of tasks including afternoon tea service, cocktail making and recognising errors on a laid table.
Silvano Giraldin, member of the judging panel and director at Roux Restaurants, said: "We were overwhelmed by the quality of the applications and we have selected twenty-nine candidates to go to the semi-finals.
“These represent some of the best young people in our industry, not only from London but from all over the UK.”
Next round
Contestants who succeed in the regional finals will proceed to the National Final, which will be held on 2 February 2015 at The Connaught, before the winner is announced in an awards ceremony at Claridge’s on 9 February.
The winner of the competition will get a year’s worth of expert mentoring and the chance to work alongside some of the ‘industry greats’. They will also be invited to take part in culinary events, tour French vineyards in Champagne and Bordeaux and serve in some of the world’s most prestigious restaurants.
Willy Bauer OBE, founder of the Gold Service Scholarship and chairman of AB Hotels, said: “It is very rewarding to see how quickly the scholarship has established itself and attracted such fantastic interest. It has helped young people see the opportunities available within the global hospitality industry.
“Thanks a million to all of our supporters, I hope we can continue to encourage even more talent to become scholars in the future.”
The names of the finalists will be released next week at www.thegoldservicescholarship.co.uk.