The finalists (full list below) work at some of the best-known restaurants and hotels in the UK, including Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, The Ritz London and Gleneagles.
The announcement follows a practical assessment of 48 semi-finalists held at the Chancery Rosewood hotel towards the end of last month.
The final of the UK’s leading front-of-house competition will take place at Kerridge’s Bar & Grill at Corinthia London on 19 January. Finalists will take part in a practical service assessment in front of a number of high-profile guests from across the hospitality sector.
At the final, candidates will plan, prepare and deliver a three-course lunch for invited guests. Their work will include mise en place, guest welcome, tableside preparation of dishes, and wine and beverage service. Judges will observe technical ability, consistency, communication and overall professional conduct.
The 2026 Gold Service Scholar will be announced at a ceremony at Claridge’s on 9 February.
“This year’s winning finalists represent a broad cross-section of the hospitality sector, and each brings experience from a different type of operation. We acknowledge the commitment required to reach this stage of the competition and look forward to seeing their work during the final assessment,” says chair of judges Edward Griffiths.
“We must also note the quality of entrants in both our quarter and semi-finals. It was a really strong year, and we hope to see them all apply again next year.”
Founded in 2012, the Gold Service Scholarship is the UK’s most prestigious and only dedicated scholarship for front-of-house food and beverage professionals.
All winning finalists take part in an educational programme delivered in partnership with EHL Hospitality Business School in Lausanne, join the Team Gold alumni network and gain access to workshops, placements at The Waterside Inn, Core by Clare Smyth, Gordon Ramsay at Royal Hospital Road, The Ritz London, and a range of further study opportunities.
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 Gold Service Scholarship 2026 finalists
- Giacomo Arcadu, manager in training at The Lanesborough, London
- Andreea Bercu, events operations supervisor at Claridge’s, London
- Harry Blackhall, assistant restaurant manager at Gleneagles, Perthshire
- Caoimhe Houston, head waiter at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Oxfordshire
- Daniel Johnson, head waiter at The Ritz London
- Bianca Mesteru, head maître d’ at Brown’s Hotel, London
- Harry Nugent, assistant restaurant manager at 74 Charlotte Street by Ben Murphy, London
- Joel Pennington, restaurant manager at The Cottage in the Wood, Cumbria
- Brendan Tierney, chef de rang at Number One at The Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh
- Fabrizia Welman, restaurant manager at Simon Rogan on Britannic Explorer, a Belmond train