Riccio said: "It is a professional and personal achievement to win this Award. It has been very intense but the knowledge which I have gained from this experience is immense. This experience has really helped me mature as a person and network with great industry professionals. I am overwhelmed!" The Savoy Gastronomes' Olive Barnett Award celebrates excellence in hospitality. It was created in recognition of Olive Barnett, a pioneer of the highest standards in the hotel industry. The award is organised by Springboard with principle sponsor The Savoy Hotel. Anne Pierce, CEO of Springboard, said the eight finalists had "excelled to be here" and that she felt "privileged to be involved with the future talent of the industry". She added that the judges had a "horrendous time because everyone was so fantastic". The awards ceremony was held at the beautiful setting of The Savoy and over 250 VIP industry bodies attended the prestigious evening, which marked the end of an intense judging weekend for the eight finalists. As winner of the award for 2011, Assia will receive a career development grant of £1,750 per year for two years, donated by the Savoy Educational Trust. She will also spend one week on the Lausanne Executive Education Summer Programme, provided by the globally respected Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne, Switzerland. First runner up of the award is Shankhanhil Roy, assistant food and beverage manager at The London Marriott Hotel, Regents Park. Shankhanhil will receive a development grant of £1,250 per year for two years, donated by the Savoy Educational Trust. Second runner up is Adam Beck, assistant restaurant manager at The Grove Hotel. Adam will receive a development grant of £750 per year for two years, from the Savoy Educational Trust. What they had to do: This year's award attracted over 70 entries, made via the submission of a 2 minute video and 750 word essay on the topics: "Why have you chosen the hospitality, leisure or tourism industry as a career and why do you feel you should be considered to receive the Savoy Gastronomes' Olive Barnett Award?" "As we move out of the 'service economy' and into an 'experience economy', how can businesses within hospitality, leisure and tourism best prepare themselves for this shift?" The eight finalists were: Adam Beck – Assistant Restaurant Manager, The Grove Hotel Laura – Anne Cawston – Assistant Front Office Manager, The Savoy Hotel Katie Lister – Head Waiter, Stratheam Restaurant, The Gleneagles Hotel Polly Robertson – Conference Services Manager, The Savoy Assia Riccio – Guest Services Manager, Le Manoir Aux Quat' Saisons Shankhanhil Roy – Assistant Food and Beverage Manager, The London Marriott Hotel, Regents Park Kasia Slawinska – Receptionist, Crown Plaza London The City Ramona Webley – Assistant Executive Housekeeper, The London Marriott Hotel, County Hall