The national finalists are:

Daniel Crump, 23 - Restaurant Gordon Ramsay – Chef de Rang
Ivo De Beus, 29 – Claridge’s Hotel – Bartender
Rebecca Dibben, 22 – Deseo Mediterranean Restaurant, Gleneagles Hotel, Restaurant supervisor
Steven Driscoll, 23 – The Berkeley – Graduate trainee food and beverage
Devid Isabella, 29 – The Ritz – Assistant restaurant manager
Ben Robinson, 22 – Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons – Sommelier de Rang

The final will take place at Westminster Kingsway College, London, on Monday 11th February where contestants will show off their service skills to judges and invited guests at a special lunch.

The finalists will each take control of and serve a table of four guests. The judges will be looking at mise en place, decanting, reception service, meal service, wine and beverage service and will take account of general demeanor, engagement with the customers and level of professionalism.

The first Gold Service Scholar will be announced the same evening at an awards ceremony at Claridge’s. Champagne by Laurent-Perrier, wines by Fortnum & Mason.

Edward Griffiths, chairman of the judges: “I was very impressed with the overall standard of the competitors, and am delighted to see that they came from a diverse spectrum of the industry and a good range of ages. As this Scholarship grows over the coming years, I hope that we will see an even greater mix of backgrounds.

"Every candidate, without exception, demonstrated great passion for hospitality and their energy and commitment to the tasks was inspiring. It left us with the difficult task to decide who to take through. Congratulations to our deserving finalists.”