A COCKERMOUTH man who has won a prestigious hospitality accolade is hoping to encourage others into seeing the industry as a potential career.
27-year-old Joel Pennington was crowned the prestigious Gold Service Scholar 2026 at an awards ceremony held in Claridge's London.
Joel, who works as the restaurant manager at the Cottage in the Wood, Whinlatter, Keswick, was selected from a cohort of ten finalists who competed in the scholarship final earlier this year at Kerridge’s Bar & Grill, Corinthia London - and was up against a strong line-up of finalists including staff from prestigious venues such as Claridge's, Gleneagles and The Ritz.
Speaking to the Times & Star, the former Cockermouth School pupil said: "I am just delighted, speechless and also just grateful for all the people who have supported me along the way.
"Just overwhelmed by the whole experience really."
Joel said it was 'amazing to be able to be part of an independent restaurant in the Lake District', saying it has been 'a real privilege to represent the Lake District and Cumbria'.
As the overall winner, Joel will now receive a tailored development plan, including placements in leading international restaurants such as Mandarin Oriental Bangkok and Hong Kong.
Additional opportunities include working at a garden party or state banquet at Windsor Castle or Buckingham Palace, an individual mentorship programme, and a visit to Laurent-Perrier in Champagne.
All finalists will benefit from a wide range of development opportunities, including a trip to Porto courtesy of Graham’s Port, a bespoke development package at EHL Hospitality Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland, stages at leading restaurants, and automatic membership of the Team Gold alumni network.
Joel is 'looking forward' to the amazing opportunities the scholarship will provide, though his 'biggest aim this year' is to go into as many schools and universities as possible to 'showcase hospitality'.
He added: "It's not just a gap filler or a career break, it actually is a career, not just a stepping stone.
"I want to really inspire the younger generation to get involved with hospitality."
The Golden Service Scholar has thanked all of the the people who have supported him over the years, with a special mention for Cumbria's 'High Tea Guy' and the former manager of the now closed Veeva Café in Cockermouth, who first inspired him to get into the hospitality sector.
"Veeva is where it all started and it was him who said had I ever thought about a career in hospitality because I just loved being in that café so much. It was the bit of the week I looked forward to so much," said Joel.
"He was the one that started it all really."
After his time at Veeva, Joel went on to work at the Hazel Bank Country House Hotel in Keswick, before joining L'Enclume and latterly taking the restaurant manager role at The Cottage in the Wood.
Beth Bond, co-owner of the Michelin-starred The Cottage in the Wood, added: “Joel is a credit to the hospitality industry and a credit to us. He is diligent, hardworking, dedicated, and a complete professional in all that he does, and we couldn’t be prouder of what he’s achieved in such a short space of time.
"Congratulations from us all, Joel.”
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