Ramon Pajares Excellence Scholarship 2026 Winner is Announced!
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, Food and Beverage Operations Manager at The Dorchester
Launched with the Savoy Educational Trust (SET) and managed by The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts (RACA), The Ramon Pajares Excellence Scholarship was established in honour of esteemed hospitality leader, Ramon Pajares OBE. The Scholarship supports rising stars in the hospitality industry, with a tailored programme of mentorship, development opportunities, and financial assistance to support their continuing professional journey.
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.
On winning the scholarship, Mattia Marcelli says:
“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 will also use this opportunity to be mentored by experienced leaders and in turn, to mentor others, sharing knowledge, supporting growth, and encouraging a culture of continuous learning.”
Lisa Jenkins, Chief Executive Officer at The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts adds:
“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.”
Angela Maher, Chief Executive at The Savoy Educational Trust, says:
“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.”
Expertly hosted by Chef Mario Perera and the team at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower, the judging panel for this year's scholarship comprised some of the sector’s most respected figures: Sandeep Bhalla, MD, The Connaught; Angela Maher, CEO, The Savoy Educational Trust; Howard Field, Chairman, The Savoy Educational Trust; John Hollywood, Head of Learning and Development, Iconic Hotels; Zoe Jenkins, General Manager, Coworth Park Hotel; Guillaume Marly, General Manager, Waldorf Astoria London - Admiralty Arch; Alexandra Sollis, Guest Relations Manager, The Gleneagles Hotel; Lisa Jenkins, Chief Executive Officer, The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts.
As the recipient of the 2026 Ramon Pajares Excellence Scholarship, Mattia Marcelli will receive a £5,000 personal development award and will be paired with a mentor from the scholarship judging panel. Working alongside representatives from SET and RACA, he will create a tailored professional development plan designed to support his long-term career aspirations. Mattia will also attend the AAE Gala Dinner on 28th July, where he will be presented with his trophy on stage in front of the Academy and its distinguished guests.
The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts extends its warmest congratulations to Mattia Marcelli and looks forward to supporting his continued professional growth through this prestigious scholarship.
