Are you a past achiever of the Annual Awards of Excellence (AAE) aged between 26 and 36?
If so, the Ramon Pajares Excellence Scholarship is your chance to shine!
About the Scholarship
The Ramon Pajares Excellence Scholarship, managed by The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts (RACA) and funded by the Savoy Educational Trust, honours the legacy of renowned hotelier Ramon Pajares. This scholarship aims to recognise and support individuals who demonstrate excellence, a passion for people, and a desire for self-improvement that benefits others.
Prize Details
The winner of the Ramon Pajares Excellence Scholarship will receive a £5,000 cash award and be paired with a mentor from the panel of judges. With guidance from the Savoy Educational Trust (SET) and The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts (RACA), the recipient will develop a tailored professional development plan to identify and achieve their goals. The SET and RACA will require regular progress updates on the implementation of the development plan. Examples of eligible personal and professional development opportunities include finance and revenue management training, public speaking workshops, WSET qualifications, F&B masterclasses, and other skills enhancement sessions. The scholarship funds are intended exclusively for personal development activities and should be utilised outside of the scholar's regular working hours, unless their employer supports undertaking this training during work time.
Our esteemed panel of judges includes:
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Sandeep Bhalla
General Manager, The Connaught
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Howard Field
Chair, The Savoy Educational Trust
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Lisa Jenkins
CEO, The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts
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Zoe Jenkins
General Manager, Coworth Park, Ascot
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Angela Maher
CEO, The Savoy Educational Trust
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Guillaume Marly
General Manager, Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch
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Guest Judge: Alexandra Sollis
Guest Relations Manager, Gleneagles
Ramon Pajares was a renowned hotelier who dedicated his career to elevating the standards of luxury hospitality. He spent 22 years with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, where he successfully led the Park Lane property to become one of the most profitable in the UK.
In 1994, Pajares took on the role of Managing Director of the Savoy Group, overseeing the £90 million restoration of iconic London hotels such as the Savoy, Claridge's, and the Berkeley. His leadership at the Savoy rejuvenated the hotel, earning it the Cateys Hotel of the Year award.
Throughout his career, Pajares championed the development of young talent in the hospitality industry. He served as a trustee and chairman of the Savoy Educational Trust for 23 years, emphasizing the importance of supporting the next generation.
Highly respected by his peers, Pajares received numerous accolades, including Hotelier of the Year and an OBE. He was remembered as a gentleman, an inspirational leader, and a consummate hotelier who significantly impacted the luxury hospitality landscape.
Our 2026 Scholar
The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts (RACA) is delighted to announce that Mattia Marcelli, Food and Beverage Operations Manager at The Dorchester, London, has been awarded the 2026 Ramon Pajares Excellence Scholarship.
Mattia Marcelli impressed the judging panel with his dedication to hospitality excellence, strong leadership potential, and clear ambition to continue developing his skills while contributing to the growth and success of those around him. His commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences and nurturing talent within the industry embodies the values that Ramon Pajares championed throughout his distinguished career.
“Winning the Ramón Pajares Scholarship is an honour that inspires me to keep learning, growing, and aiming higher. It’s a great opportunity to invest in my growth and future impact. I plan to use it to undertake a leadership and coaching course that will strengthen my ability to inspire, support, and develop others. ”
“I am delighted to congratulate Mattia on being awarded the Ramon Pajares Excellence Scholarship. Mattia impressed the panel with his passion for hospitality, commitment to continuous learning, and clear ambition to develop his skills. This scholarship is designed to support talented individuals who demonstrate the potential to become future leaders within our industry, and Mattia is a worthy recipient. We look forward to seeing the opportunities and achievements that this scholarship will help unlock throughout his career.”
“Mattia is a shining example of what the Ramon Pajares Excellence Scholarship is about. Throughout the selection process, he demonstrated exceptional passion, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to personal and professional growth. His determination to continually develop his skills, coupled with his dedication to excellence and supporting others, embodies the values that Ramon Pajares championed throughout his remarkable career. We are proud to support Mattia on the next stage of his journey and look forward to seeing the positive impact he will undoubtedly make on our industry.”
Past Winners
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Alexandra Sollis
2025 Scholar