Applications are now open for this year’s Hostplus Hospitality Scholarship, which is supported by Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.
This is the fifth year of the scholarship which offers the young guns of Australia’s hospitality industry a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work across three different countries in internationally acclaimed hospitality businesses.
On their return to Australia, the Scholarship winner will be partnered with a local industry leader for a year-long mentorship, furthering the opportunity to expand their industry experience and make valuable connections in their chosen field.
Hostplus has supported the scholarship since it was launched in 2014 and the company’s chief marketing officer, Umberto Mecchi, said the company was very proud to support the next generation of Australia’s hospitality workers.
“This scholarship is an outstanding opportunity for rising stars across the breadth of the
Australian hospitality industry. Hostplus is extremely proud to support this initiative that will create once-in-a-career connections and learning experiences,” Mecchi said.
Scholarship applications are open to hospitality workers across all areas of expertise: from the paddock, the cellar, the kitchen, front-of-house, and everywhere in between. The
Scholarship prize will be facilitated by Melbourne Food and Wine Festival through its extensive global network and the winner’s international work experience will be specially tailored to their career interests.
The judging panel for the applications features leaders from across the hospitality industry:
Gail Donovan, restaurateur, Donovans, Melbourne; Umberto Mecchi, chief marketing officer at Hostplus; Jo-Ann Moody, gastronomy manager, Melbourne Food and Wine Festival;
Rafael Rashid, founder and owner of Beat Box Kitchen, Taco Truck, and All Day Donuts;
Matteo Pignatelli, owner and operator of Matteo’s restaurant in Melbourne; and Fleur Studd, owner of Melbourne Coffee Merchants and co-founder of Market Lane Coffee.
Online applications for the Scholarship open on Thursday 15 March and will close 5pm, EST on Friday 4 May. Applications are open to all Australian residents aged 22-35 and currently working in any area of expertise within the hospitality industry.
More information in the scholarship and details on how to apply are available on the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival website.