Julie Lardie, a dietician for Aramark, has become the Acorn Scholar of 2007.
Lardie was awarded the scholarship at a lunch and presentation at the Royal Clarence Hotel in Exeter yesterday (Monday 27 November).
Lardie, 25, works as a corporate dietician for Aramark, primarily within its healthcare and education divisions. Her ambition is to have a voice on national working groups which advise the Government on strategies to improve the health of the nation, especially by improving public sector catering.
Before joining Aramark, Lardie completed a degree in human nutrition and worked for the NHS for two years.
The Acorn Scholarship is designed to help exceptional young hospitality professionals achieve their ambitions and become ambassadors for UK hospitality.
The year-long programme comprises a £2,000 bursary, £1,500 worth of personal development training with talent retention specialist Learn Purple, a visit toVilleroy and Boch in Luxembourg, and ambassador training with Springboard.
Lardie, who was "overwhelmed" by the announcement, said: "My overall ambition is to be a positive ambassador for catering, achieving the right balance between my dietetic mind and the business brain that I am now developing."
The fifth year of the scholarship received a record number of entries.
The following candidates received ‘highly commended’ certificates yesterday: Claire Campbell, Restaurant Associates; Oskars Kalnins, Ballachulish House; Alex Robertson, Four Seasons; Jason Bates, Holiday Inn; Captain David Barlow, the British Army; Matthew Barker, Malmaison; James Blackwell, Holroyd Howe; and student Felicia Markram.
By Ben Walker
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