Gold Service Scholarship trustees delay search for 2021 scholar

The Gold Service Scholarship 2021 will be delayed, but trustees have confirmed the search for a new scholar will continue "as soon as it is practical and safe to do so".

The scholarships would normally be presented in February, but this will not be possible due to the challenges faced by the hospitality industry in recent months and under present government guidelines.

Chairman of judges Edward Griffiths explained: "While we are disappointed not to be able to commence the 2021 scholarship schedule at the usual early autumn time, we want to reassure potential candidates that we look forward to the programme being rescheduled in the New Year."

The winner of the 2020 Gold Service Scholarship was Elizabeth Forkuoh, junior assistant manager at the Strathearn restaurant at Gleneagles hotel.

She won a range of prizes, including work placements overseas and in the UK, as well as a stage at either Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle for a state visit, and a tailored educational course on hotel and restaurant management at the Lausanne Hotel School in Switzerland.

The scholarship was established to encourage young people into front-of-house food and beverage service, help them develop their skills and give them opportunities to extend their knowledge.