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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Melissa Fergus
General Manager, Mauro Colagreco
Raffles London at The OWO
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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
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 2025 Winner
The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts is proud to announce Alexandra Sollis, Guest Relations Manager at The Gleneagles Hotel, as the inaugural recipient of the Ramon Pajares Excellence Scholarship.
Alexandra, who stood out among an exceptionally strong field of candidates, has been recognised for her potential, drive, and commitment to personal and professional growth. She will be a truly worthy ambassador as the first recipient of The Ramon Pajares Excellence Scholarship.
As the winner of the scholarship, Alexandra will be invited to attend The Royal Academy of Culinary Art’s Annual Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner on the 29th of July 2025 and welcomed on stage to be presented with her Ramon Pajares Excellence Scholarship trophy and certificate.
The Academy wholeheartedly congratulates Alexandra on this well-deserved achievement and looks forward to following her progress as she embarks on this exciting new chapter.
“Alex is inspiring, because whilst she is already extremely accomplished, she also knows she is not the finished article and understands the value of mentorship. She is hungry to learn, determined and proactive, and her positivity is infectious.”
“Alexandra was amazing on the day of judging, and it was an absolute pleasure to hear about her journey so far, as well as learning about her future aspirations. It is wonderful to witness such passion for the industry, and this really shone through. Alexandra is a deserving beneficiary of the Ramon Pajares Excellence Scholarship, and we very much look forward to having played some small part in her journey going forward.”