Young Guns 2011 winners announced

Rebecca Cupitt from Bournemouth University and Robyn Isherwood from Oxford Brookes University have been crowned this year's Young Guns winners.

The competition recognises hospitality students that have excelled in their work placements.

The two winners competed against eight other finalists in the Royal Suite of the Chesterfield Hotel on 17 March, and will be attending Richmond Events' Catering & Hospitality Forum on 20 June at The Robinson Executive Centre, Wyboston Lakes.

Anne Pierce, chief executive of Springboard UK, chaired the lunch. She said: "The quality of the entries gets better and better and it is a huge accolade to get to the final and an even greater one to win."

Austen Bushrod, purchasing director for Rank Group said: "We need to encourage students to consider hospitality as a career choice and what better way than through the challenge process and publicity surrounding the Young Guns competition.

"I was very pleased to support the judging process this year and really impressed by the energy, enthusiasm and skills of this year's candidates."

The finalists
Trevor Childs - Bournemouth University
Rebecca Cupitt - Bournemouth University
Steve Driscoll - Bournemouth University
Robyn Isherwood - Oxford Brookes University
James Matthews - Surrey University
Sam Roth - Birmingham University
Emma Thicks - Plymouth University
Fredericos Tsaparas - Bournemouth University
James Turton - Bournemouth University
Naomi Welsh - Sheffield Hallam University

The judging panel
Christian Armstrong, people & development director, Guoman & Thistle Hotels
William Baxter CBE, deputy chief executive, BaxterStorey
Simon Blagden, managing director, Jamies Italian
Austen Bushrod, purchasing director, Rank Group
Rowena Edwards, chief executive, Graysons Restaurants
Guy Parsons, chief executive, Travelodge Hotels
Anne Pierce, chief executive, Springboard UK
Jonathan Raggett, managing director, Red Carnation Hotels
Tim West, chairman, Lexington Catering
Sean Wheeler, area director of human resources, The Dorchester Collection

Sheffield Hallam students are 2010 Young Guns winners >>

Oxford Brookes students win Young Guns competition >>

Young Guns meet key players in hospitality >>

By Gemma Rowbotham

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