May 2015

Gabriela wins prestigious service award

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Opus Restaurant waitress Gabriela Murea has achieved the Service Award in the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts’ Annual Awards of Excellence (AAE) 2015.

Gabriela, who studies BA Hospitality and Events Management at UCB, was one of 16 finalists who travelled to Le Gavroche, London to take the final exam, which involved serving a three-course menu to two guests and the service of beverages and wine-tasting.

The tasks were all challenging and they were quite different from what I normally do at Opus. I had to set up a table, silver serve vegetables, bread and sauces and pour the soup. I also had to fillet a Dover sole at the table and serve ice cream quenelles. We were also judged on how we decanted and described red wine. I’m so happy to have passed and got my reward. I prepared as much as I could for each stage of the process and it has really paid off.

Gabriela Murea

Gabriela is now waiting for the Gala Presentation Dinner at Claridge’s in July, where the highest-scoring achievers in the kitchen, pastry and service categories will be announced. The winners will be awarded with an engraved silver trophy and prizes worth over £2,000, including Victorinox knives, Meyer cookware and a bursary from the Savoy Educational Trust to go on an educational trip overseas.

The AAE aims to encourage young people within the hospitality industry to achieve the highest possible standards in their profession and reward their talent and skill.