Gold Service Scholarship to defer 2021 competition
In a statement posted to the Gold Service Scholarship's Instagram page, chairman of the Judges Edward Griffiths said the current restrictions prevent the normal judging process - which would usually culminate in February with an awards presentation naming the new scholar - from going ahead.
"The various stages of interviews, assessments and skills tests require personal interaction which just won’t be possible given the challenges we are all facing as a result of the pandemic," said Griffiths.
"While this news is disappointing, we are committed to ensuring that our 2020 winning finalists and scholar are able to take up their educational prizes when it is safe to do so. This will hopefully take place during the late spring and summer of 2021.
"We will then launch our 2022 competition as usual, in September 2021."
The 2022 competition will mark the 10th anniversary of the Gold Service Scholarship.
"We are determined to celebrate the decade landmark throughout the stages of the competition, culminating in a glittering awards ceremony in February 2022," added Griffiths.
The Scholarship was launched in 2012 to encourage a lasting heritage of excellence in hospitality. The programme celebrates the craft of front of house service in food and beverage, and nurtures young talent through tailored mentoring.
Last year's Scholarship was won by Elizabeth Forkuoh, FBS junior assistant manager at the prestigious Strathearn Restaurant at the Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland.
