After a stringent selection process twenty-three year old Jessica Cain, Assistant Manager at Milburns at the Clifton Pavilion @ Bristol Zoological Gardens has scooped the top prize in the prestigious Olive Barnett Award at a Champagne reception held at Claridgeís in London. Jessica wins an all-expenses paid placement on a week long course on the Lausanne Executive Education Summer Programme at the world-famous Ecole htelire de Lausanne, plus a three year grant of 1,000 a year for career development from the Savoy Educational Trust.
The competition, open to anyone under the age of 30 working in a customer-facing role in any of the lifestyle industries of hospitality, leisure, travel or tourism, was created by The Savoy Gastronomes in 1975 and is sponsored by the Chess partnership. Administered by Springboard, it rewards the winners with an unrivalled opportunity to enhance their careers.
Entrants in this yearís competition were asked: ìIf you were planning to open up a business of your own in hospitality, leisure, travel or tourism, what business would it be, and what would your top five priorities be to ensure a successful and profitable venture?î
ìJessica demonstrated an excellent grasp of the needs of a business and how it could be made successful,î commented Tony Elliott, Savoy Gastronome and Olive Barnett judge.
ìHer career development plan was clearly thought out and achievable. I am sure she will succeed and be a great ambassador for the Savoy Gastronomes.î
Jessica has worked at Milburns since the beginning of last year and is passionate about her career. She gained a BA (Hon) in Hospitality Management from Brighton University and has worked in various establishments since graduating, gaining experience as an event supervisor, receptionist, commis chef and sales and event coordinator.
Anne Pierce, Springboard Chief Executive said: ìThe Olive Barnett Award is clearly highly regarded, providing a career development grant and a place on the Ecole htelire de Lausanne Hospitality Management Summer Programme.î
ìSpringboard is delighted to be associated with such an outstanding trio of winners.î
Other placings were: First runner-up, Katja Hagenbucher, Front Office Manager, Victoria Park Plaza Hotel, London, winning a three-year career development grant of 750; and second runner-up, Paul Nixon, Discovery Centre Manager at the Scottish Seabird Centre in East Lothian, winning a three-year career development grant of 500.
ìThe standard of entries this year was excellent,î said Chess Partnership Director, Suzanna Hunter.
ìEach of the finalists had devoted a lot of thought and time to their submissions and the final selection was not easy, but the clearly thought out development plans presented by the winners were outstanding and I have no doubt that they will each achieve their goals. I wish them the best of luck.î
Why not attend the Onrec Conference and Exhibition on the 20th June - More details here
Jessica Cain scoops The Olive Barnett 2006 Award
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