Applications have officially opened for the 2027 Gold Service Scholarship, offering hospitality professionals aged between 22 and 30 the opportunity to compete in the front-of-house competition.
The Gold Service Scholarship was established to support the development of young hospitality professionals through mentoring, training, workshops, placements, travel and access to senior industry figures.
Candidates progressing through the competition will have opportunities to develop their practical and professional skills while building networks across the hospitality sector.
Winning finalists will take part in a bespoke five-day programme at EHL Hospitality Business School in Switzerland and travel to Porto to learn about port production.
They will also receive stages at leading UK restaurants and the opportunity to work at a garden party at Buckingham Palace.
All winning finalists will automatically join Team Gold, the Scholarship’s alumni network, providing continued access to educational and professional development opportunities.
The eventual 2027 Scholar will receive an extended programme including internships at Mandarin Oriental hotels in Bangkok and Hong Kong, a bespoke trip to Champagne with Laurent-Perrier and an opportunity to work during a state visit at Windsor Castle.
Applications close on Tuesday 6 October 2026, with candidates required to be aged between 22 and 30 on the closing date.
Joel Pennington, the 2026 Gold Service Scholarship Scholar, said: “I cannot put into words how incredible the scholarship has been for me.
“Not only has it given me the confidence to really push on in my career, but the network I have created as part of the process has been amazing.
“I have contacts from all parts of our incredibly diverse sector. I’ve also had the benefit of having access to so many senior mentors from across the hospitality industry.
“It’s not just the Scholar who benefits from this. Just being part of the process adds so much to your career development.”