Assia Riccio, guest service manager at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons in Oxfordshire, has won the Savoy Gastronomes' Olive Barnett Award 2011.
Riccio won the award, organised by the Springboard charity, at a ceremony at London's Savoy hotel in London, beating seven other finalists.
The award, set up in recognition of Olive Barnett, who pioneered excellence at the Savoy, rewards excellence in one hospitality employee under the age of 30 each year.
Riccio will receive a career development grant of £1,750 a year for two years, courtesy of the Savoy Educational Trust, as well as a week on the Lausanne Executive Education Summer Programme, provided by the École Hôtelière de Lausanne, Switzerland.
Commenting on her win, she said: "It has been very intense but the knowledge I have gained from this experience is immense. It has really helped me mature as a person, and network with great industry professionals."
First runner-up of the award is Shankhanhil Roy, assistant food and beverage manager at the London Marriott hotel Regent's Park, who will receive a development grant of £1,250 per year, for two years.
Second runner-up was Adam Beck, assistant restaurant manager at the Grove Hotel, London, who will receive a development grant of £750 per year, for two years. Both are also entitled to attend a short course at the prestigious École Hôtelière de Lausanne.
The other finalists were:
Laura-Anne Cawston - assistant front office manager, The Savoy
Katie Lister, head waiter, Stratheam Restaurant, The Gleneagles Hotel
Polly Robertson, conference services manager, The Savoy
Kasia Slawinska, receptionist, Crown Plaza London The City
Ramona Webley, assistant executive housekeeper, The London Marriott Hotel, County Hall
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