Isabella Condon, who is originally from Ireland and trained at the Shannon College of Hotel Management, joined the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park London hotel more than two years ago as a manager in training before being appointed to her current role at the hotel’s two-Michelin-starred restaurant last year.
Andrea Di Gangi, assistant restaurant manager at the Corinthia London’s Northall restaurant, and Valentino Galdi, head waiter at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire, were both named highly commended winning finalists at the awards ceremony, which took place at Claridge’s hotel last night (10 February).
Condon was selected as the Scholar from a pool of 10 winning finalists who competed in the competition final in January – the biggest final in the scholarship’s history – where they had to prepare for and serve a three-course lunch at the Corinthia London to a table of VIP guests.
“I’m so happy and totally lost for words. It’s an absolute privilege to work in this sector and do what we do,” she says.
“The opportunities this profession can provide is incredible and we’re all so fortunate to be able to work with some incredible people, doing a job that we love.”
Chair of the Gold Service Scholarship, Alastair Storey, added: “It is extremely encouraging that so many young people with such fantastic talent are joining and flourishing in our industry.”
“It’s also wonderful to see so many business leaders willing to set aside their time and resource to help them build their careers and invest in their future.
As the new Scholar, she will receive a range of prizes tailored to support her professional development.
Condon and her fellow commended winning finalists will benefit from work experience at prestigious hotels and restaurants such as the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok and Hong Kong, an overseas Rocco Forte hotel, and the three-Michelin-starred Waterside Inn in Bray, Berkshire, as well as a trip to Laurent-Perrier in Champagne.
All winning finalists also receive a host of professional development opportunities, including a trip to Porto, courtesy of Graham’s Port; a bespoke development programme at EHL Hospitality Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland; and the opportunity to work a garden party at Buckingham Palace. All winning finalists and semi-finalists also automatically join the Team Gold alumni network.
Launched in 2012, the Gold Service Scholarship offers young front-of-house professionals, in food & beverage, the opportunity to hone their craft through mentoring, travel and placement opportunities provided by the industry’s most senior service professionals.
