The candidates, all of whom work in food and beverage roles and are aged between 22-28, will go on to compete in the final at Corinthia London on 15th January.  

The eight finalists were selected after a series of heats, including a quarter-final at the Hotel Café Royal or the Langham Hotel, and a semi-final held at Rosewood London.  

The Gold Service Scholarship was launched in 2012 with the aim of inspiring the UK's up and coming front-of-house talent, through mentoring, study and placement opportunities. 

The final in January will see the candidates compete in a real-life service environment, serving high-profile guests from across the sector at the Northall restaurant at Corinthia London.

The eight finalists are:    

• Serena Buono, assistant manager, Royal Automobile Club, Surrey  
• Scott Crowe, supervisor, Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh   
• Simona Federová, chef de rang, The Ritz London  
• Etienne Harding, assistant restaurant manager, The Goring Hotel, London 
• Rizwan Khan, general manager, Junsei Marylebone, London 
• Annabel Rohm, restaurant assistant manager, Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire   
• Alexandra Sollis, guest relations manager, The Scarlet Hotel, Cornwall 
• Joe Southwood, assistant lounge manager, Corinthia London

Edward Griffiths, trustee and chair of judges, said: "This has been another incredible year for the Gold Service Scholarship. Not only was it a record-breaking year in terms of number of applicants, but the standard has been exceptional, so getting our 40 semi-finalists down to eight was quite the task.    

“We would like to congratulate all those who made it to the final, as well as the other candidates who competed so brilliantly throughout the competition. We are all very much looking forward to what is going to be an incredible final.”  

The new scholar will be announced at the awards ceremony on 5th February 2024 at Claridge's.