Isabella Condon named 2025 Gold Service Scholar

Isabella Condon, junior assistant manager at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in London, has been named the 2025 Gold Service Scholar.

The news was revealed at an awards ceremony in Claridge’s hotel on Monday, February 10.

Isabella, who is originally from Ireland and trained at the Shannon College of Hotel Management, joined the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park London hotel more than two years ago as a manager in training, before being appointed junior assistant manager at the hotel’s two-Michelin-starred restaurant in 2024.

Andrea Di Gangi, assistant restaurant manager at the Corinthia London’s Northall restaurant, and Valentino Galdi, head waiter at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire, were also both named highly commended winning finalists at the awards ceremony.

Isabella was selected as the Scholar from a pool of 10 winning finalists who competed in the competition final in January – the biggest final in the scholarship’s history – where they had to prepare for and serve a three-course lunch at the Corinthia London to a table of VIP guests.

As the new Scholar, she will receive a range of prizes tailored to support her professional development.

Isabella and her fellow commended winning finalists will benefit from work experience at prestigious hotels and restaurants such as the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok and Hong Kong, an overseas Rocco Forte hotel, and the three-Michelin-starred Waterside Inn in Bray, Berkshire, as well as a trip to Laurent-Perrier in Champagne.

All winning finalists also receive a host of professional development opportunities, including a trip to Porto, courtesy of Graham’s Port; a bespoke development programme at EHL Hospitality Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland; and the opportunity to work a garden party at Buckingham Palace. All winning finalists and semi-finalists also automatically join the Team Gold alumni network.

Isabella said: “I’m so happy and totally lost for words. It’s an absolute privilege to work in this sector and do what we do.

“The opportunities this profession can provide is incredible and we’re all so fortunate to be able to work with some incredible people, doing a job that we love.”

Chair of the Gold Service Scholarship, Alastair Storey, said: “It is extremely encouraging that so many young people with such fantastic talent are joining and flourishing in our industry. It’s also wonderful to see so many business leaders willing to set aside their time and resource to help them build their careers and invest in their future.

"We had a record number of winning finalists this year which demonstrates how standards in our sector are improving year on year.

"It is also hugely important to note that our 'Team Gold' is now made up of around 100 people. The opportunities for development that this has opened up for our alumni both in the UK and globally has been remarkable."