James Kenny, a proud native of Newry and Restaurant Manager at Killeavy Castle Estate at Slieve Gullion is the only finalist from Ireland to reach the finals of the esteemed 2025 Gold Service Scholarship.
At just 26 years old, James stands alongside fierce competition from restaurants such as Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Claridge’s and Pétrus by Gordon Ramsay to name a few. His achievement underscores James’ outstanding talent, dedication, and passion for delivering exceptional service. The competition was incredibly stiff, narrowing from 200 participants to just 50 in the semi-finals, and finally down to the top 10 for the final round.
The Gold Service Scholarship, awarded by the Gold Service Foundation, is one of the most prestigious accolades in the hospitality industry. It aims to inspire, educate, and nurture the next generation of hospitality leaders in the UK.
Reflecting on this achievement, James shared, "I am absolutely delighted, I can’t believe I’ve made it this far. I’m really proud to represent the island of Ireland and I can’t wait to get stuck into the final in January.
Adrian Martin, Director of Hospitality at Killeavy Castle Estate, praised James’ accomplishments: “We are incredibly proud of James and all he has achieved so far. He is a rising star, and we’ve had the privilege of watching him grow and excel since his first day at Killeavy Castle Estate. We wish him every success in the next stages of the scholarship.”
The Gold Service Scholarship provides transformative opportunities, including access to world-class mentorship and career development, designed to elevate the careers of front-of-house professionals across the UK. It sets a gold standard for excellence in hospitality and empowers individuals to achieve extraordinary heights in their careers.
The final will take place on 13 January 2025 at the Corinthia London, with the Scholar named at an awards ceremony on 10 February at Claridge’s in London.
Each year’s winning finalists receive a range of prizes tailored to support their professional development, including a trip to Porto, a bespoke development programme at EHL Hospitality Business School in Switzerland, and the opportunity to work a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.
In addition the scholar and commended finalist benefit from work experience at prestigious hotels and restaurants such as the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, an overseas Rocco Forte Hotel, and the Waterside Inn, as well as a trip to Laurent-Perrier in Champagne.