The semi-finalists will now take part in practical assessments at the Chancery Rosewood on 24 November, before the finalists are selected later this year.
Drawn from the UK’s best restaurants, hotels, caterers, and private members’ clubs, this year’s semi-finalists represent the breadth of talent across the British hospitality sector.
“The Gold Service Scholarship has always celebrated the incredible people who make British hospitality world-class,” said Edward Griffiths, trustee and chairman of the judges.
“This year’s semi-finalists reflect the extraordinary talent and dedication found across the UK — from boutique country hotels to London’s most celebrated dining rooms.”
Now in its thirteenth year, the Gold Service Scholarship continues to champion the craft of service and nurture the next generation of front-of-house leaders.
Each year, the competition identifies and recognises rising stars from all sectors of hospitality, offering unique training and educational opportunities.
Last year’s scholar, Isabella Condon, from Dinner by Heston at the Mandarin Oriental (pictured above), added: “The Scholarship changed my career by showing me what’s possible when skill and passion meet opportunity. It’s inspiring to see such a wide range of young professionals coming forward each year to represent our industry at its best.”
Founded in 2012, the Gold Service Scholarship exists to inspire the next generation of hospitality professionals in the art of service.
Open to individuals aged 22–30 working in the UK hospitality industry, the scholarship offers the scholar and winning finalists a year of mentoring and learning experiences with industry leaders, including placements in some of the world’s most prestigious establishments.
The Scholarship is supported by a range of trustees, ambassadors, and sponsors representing the pinnacle of the hospitality profession, with past winners now holding senior roles in leading restaurants, hotels, and private clubs across the UK and beyond.
The 2026 Gold Service Scholarship Semi-Finalists
Giacomo Arcadu, manager in training, The Lanesborough, London
Manik Bakshi, assistant front of house catering manager, Keble College – University of Oxford
Andreea Bercu, events operations supervisor, Claridge’s Hotel, London
Harry Blackhall, assistant restaurant manager, The Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire
Lauren Brooks-Hall, head waitress, 1890 by Gordon Ramsay – The Savoy Hotel, London
Liam Bruti, commis sommelier, Midsummer House, Cambridgeshire
Carmen Garcia Bogota, restaurant receptionist, The Ritz, London
Tara Dempsey, assistant hospitality manager, Restaurant Associates, London
Fabrizia De Almeida Welman, restaurant manager, Britannic Explorer – A Belmond Train
Cristian Di Stefano, head waiter, The Grill at The Dorchester, London
Harry Dye, restaurant manager, Whatley Manor, Wiltshire
Katie Forrest, head waiter, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Oxfordshire
Jacob Andrew Garstang, restaurant manager and sommelier, Marea by Rafael Cagali, East Sussex
Jan Goede, waiter, Sketch – The Lecture Room and Library, London
Caoimhe Houston, head waiter, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Oxfordshire
Nathan Horner, senior waiter, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Oxfordshire
Zoe Hopper, head waitress, Acleaf, Devon
Daniel Johnson, head waiter, The Ritz, London
Hugo Korte, head waiter, Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, London
Andrei-Sebastian Lixandru, food and beverage manager, Cromlix, Stirlingshire
Raegan Lynch, assistant restaurant manager, Restaurant Andrew Fairlie, Perthshire
Giorgio Manzinali, team leader, Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill, London
Harshitha Mavinakere Siddaiah, chef de rang, 5 Hertford Street, London
Lewis McCarthy, head waiter, The Ritz, London
Diarmaid McDermott, assistant resident manager, 100 Princes Street – Red Carnation Hotel Collection, Edinburgh
Juliette McKeon-Thiennette, f&b mit, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London
Bianca Mesteru, head maître d’, Brown’s Hotel – A Rocco Forte Hotel, London
Alejandro Nilo, assistant restaurant manager, The Stafford London
Hal Nix, sommelier, Lita, London
Anastasiia Novitska, beverage supervisor, Rosewood London
Harry Nugent, assistant restaurant manager, 74 Charlotte Street, London
Cristian Nutt, ulp, Woven by Adam Smith, Coworth Park, Berkshire
Erin O’Connor, head waiter, The NoMad Hotel, London
David Olah, restaurant general manager, Jumeirah Carlton Tower, London
Zuzanna Olszewska, senior waiter, The Greyhound Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire
Joel Pennington, restaurant manager, The Cottage In The Wood, Cumbria
Andrea Perissinotto, assistant restaurant manager, The Lanesborough Grill, London
Matthew Pope, head waiter, Claridge’s, London
Ashish Raj, food and beverage supervisor, L’oscar London
Bharathkumar Ravichandran, restaurant floor manager, Estelle Manor, Oxfordshire
Evan Russell, head waiter, L’Enclume, Cumbria
Natalie Ann Sherriff, senior waiter, The Greyhound, Buckinghamshire
Brendan Tierney, chef de rang, No1 Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh
Giannie Tiana Virgo, demi chef de rang, Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, London
Filippo Villa, chef de rang, Core by Clare Smyth, London
Kristina Volovidnyk, chef de rang, City of London Club
Lam Lam Lamgie Yip, senior waiter, Kerridge’s Bar and Grill – Corinthia London