The launch of the Victor Ceserani Student Memorial Scholarship

EP Online Articles

14 Oct

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A new Scholarship has been set up under the name of the ‘Victor Ceserani Student Memorial Scholarship’. It is an initiative to help students in Further and Higher Education on recognised Hospitality courses in the UK.

We would like you to be part of our initiative by helping us reach a minimum target of £50,000, to start our support of students over the next academic year, although this is an on-going project.

The scholarship has been established to celebrate the life and legacy of Victor Ceserani (1919-2017) one of the UK’s most inspirational catering educationalists, by bringing together Industry and Education with the shared aim of raising funds to provide bursaries of up to £2,000 to students needing aid to pay their educational fees or for uniform and equipment. Support can be either for a specific student or for a number of students in smaller amounts. Details can be found on our webpage or crowdfunding page.

Victor was determined to hand on his own passion for the Hospitality Industry to future generations of talented individuals. His legacy lives on in the success of students or individuals fortunate enough to have been taught by him or who worked with him during his lifetime. The immediate mission of the Scholarship is to tackle the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic that has had a huge impact on both the Hospitality Industry and young, future Hospitality Professionals. The Scholarship will give students taking their first steps in Hospitality education, inspiration and a boost of confidence in their chosen career.

“Victor Ceserani was and is an icon of Hospitality. As Head of Hospitality at Ealing College now University of West London, he pioneered many initiatives” David Foskett

The application process invites students from all walks of life to share their journey into a Hospitality Career by giving them some help to start or continue their education. Our target is 16- to 24-year-old students in Further or Higher Education on recognised UK Hospitality courses.

“One thing that comes to me always is the need to provide facilities for people to get going and start off and to give themselves self-confidence in entering a new job” Bryan Sanderson

We're hoping to see creativity and generosity from the Education Sector, Hospitality Professionals and Establishments in supporting students who will go on to work in the UK Hospitality Industry in the future.

“When I was asked to be part of this initiative, I jumped at the chance. My working life has been in kitchens, guiding chefs through their careers. Having run a successful apprenticeship program for 24 years at the Royal Garden Hotel, training and development was at the top of my priorities. Helping students of the future will just be amazing!” Steve Munkley

About the Victor Ceserani Student Memorial Scholarship**

Victor Ceserani, a personal friend and mentor to many of the current Scholarship Advisory Board, was the inspiration for this wonderful initiative to raise funds to support Hospitality Students. The Scholarship was initiated by Prof. David Foskett and Lakefield Hospitality College as a way of tackling the increase of applications coming into colleges from potential students who are still feeling the effects of the COVID-19 which has caused economic challenges for many families.

The aim is to create a collaboration between Industry and Education to secure funding of up to £2,000 per student to help them in their studies. It has always been a dream of David’s to create something in Victor Cesarani’s name as a way of both honouring him and ensuring his legacy lives on in inspiring young people to have viable, successful careers founded on his ethos of service to those around him.

The Advisory Board is comprised of individuals in both Education and the Hospitality Industry sector including:

Joanna Aunon Director, WiHTL

Stephen Carter Chef de Cuisine, Boodles

Lisa Clapham Director of Lakefield Hospitality College

David Foskett Principle Associate, David Foskett Associates

Gary Hunter Deputy Executive Principal, Capital City College including

Westminster Kingsway College

Kristen Henderson Head of Learning & Development Lakefield Hospitality College

Steve Munkley Consultant Chef and Vice President, The Craft Guild of Chefs

Ronald Scott Trustee Director, IHC Foundation

Bryan Sanderson Chairman of the Low Pay Commission

Alistair Telfer Secretary and Chief Executive, The Oxford and Cambridge Club