EHL Art of Service Trophy

Welcome to EHL Art of Service Trophy

Unleash your passion and knowledge of the art of table service and elevate your career to new heights. EHL Hospitality Business School Lausanne proudly announces the "EHL Art of Service Trophy" – a contest that blends finesse, expertise, and innovation in the realm of hospitality and service excellence.

Buckle up for this thrilling journey ahead. In the world of hospitality, we are all more than just professionals; we are artists, crafting memorable experiences for every guest. This is your canvas, and we invite you to paint your masterpiece. The EHL Art of Service Trophy awaits you.

Who should participate?

This competition aims to evaluate your abilities in all fields related to the Table and Service Arts. So whether you're a seasoned maître d'hôtel, a burgeoning sommelier, or an intendant brimming with potential, we welcome you to showcase your skills and make your mark on a global stage. As long as you're over 18 and involved in the restaurant or hotel industry, this opportunity awaits you, regardless of your geographical location.

How to qualify ?

To participate, fill out our online registration form and make sure you share with us the following elements:

Video capsule

Bring your experience and perspectives to life through an original, maximum 3-minutes MP4 video in English showcasing:

Your restaurant and your team's unique dynamics and spirit.
Your enthusiasm for hospitality and table art service, showing us what fuels your dedication and creativity.
An anecdote of a time when you rendered an unforgettable VIP service, highlighting your ability to craft memorable experiences.

Essay

Write a short essay in French, English, German or Italian on the following theme: "How to retain and motivate employees in order to control staff shortages in the restaurant service industry?" (700 words maximum).

Resume

Send us an up-to-date resume of your educational and professional journey and growth in the F&B industry.

The Grand Finale

The four final examinations focus on various aspects of the art of service, including the delicate art of flambéing, the precise technique of filleting and the creative design of a cocktail. Each candidate is supported by a commis during the mixology, filleting and flambéing tests. In addition, a surprise task awaits the candidates, in which their adaptability and skills are put to the test.

Discover the topics

Schedule of the contest

Online registration

Registrations are closed.

Selection

The 6 finalists have been selected.

Finale

The finale will take place on the EHL Lausanne campus on March 16, 2024. The topics will be communicated by January 2024.

Discover our six finalist candidates

The organizing committee

Thomas Fefin

Lecturer - Practical Arts and Restaurant Manager at EHL Lausanne

Hailing from Lorraine, Thomas Fefin embarked on his hospitality journey in Metz and Kuala Lumpur, with stints in Macau and Guangzhou. Upon returning to France, he honed his craft at renowned establishments like Paris's Epicure*** restaurant and the two Michelin-starred Le Gabriel Restaurant at La Réserve Paris – Hotel and Spa. His pursuit of excellence culminated in preparing for the MOF competition, where he achieved the coveted MOF 2019 award under the guidance of chef Jérôme Banctel. This accomplishment led him to the directorship of Le Gabriel and, in September 2020, a role as a practical art lecturer at EHL's Berceau des Sens restaurant. Thomas was appointed Restaurant Manager of EHL's Michelin starred Berceau des Sens in September 2023.

Eric Iunker

Senior Lecturer - Practical Arts at EHL Lausanne

Eric Iunker is a Senior Lecturer in Practical Arts, teaching theoretical and practical courses in fine dining and restaurant management at EHL. After completing his training in Switzerland with a federal master's degree in Maître d'Hôtel, Eric worked in several prestigious Swiss establishments. He was First Maître d'Hôtel at the Grand Hotel du Parc, a five-star establishment in Villars-sur-Ollon from 1990 to 1997, and Director of the Restaurant du Cerf in Cossonay (1997-1999) which received 2 Michelin stars and an 18/20 rating by Gault & Millau.

He joined EHL in 1999 as a project manager for the design and opening in 2001 of Le Berceau des Sens, the first gourmet restaurant at EHL. From that moment until 2012, Eric was the manager of this restaurant and supervised the practical training courses given there. Eric was also in charge of the EHL wine cellar. Since 2005, he has carried out nearly 100 different missions for EHL Advisory Services. He continues to deliver business management training programs as a consultant in the fields of hospitality, food and beverage, private aviation, insurance, and banking.

Yohan Hermet

Lecturer - Practical Arts at EHL Lausanne

Hailing from the heart of France, Yohan Hermet began his professional career within the crew of the Restaurant Paul Bocuse in Lyon, a distinguished three Michelin-starred establishment. After experiences in Scotland and Australia, he settled in Switzerland. He spent two years at the prestigious Four Seasons Hôtel des Bergues in Geneva, at the Restaurant Il Lago, before moving to various renowned restaurants in Lausanne such as the Lausanne Palace, Beau Rivage Palace, and Château d'Ouchy. For the past five years at EHL, he has been imparting his passion and expertise in the art of table service. He also participated in the final of the Maître d'Hôtel competition in 2019.

Prizes

In testament to the exceptional skills demonstrated by our participants, all candidates and finalists will be rewarded with numerous prizes. However, there will be special prizes for the top 3:

1st place: 3 nights B&B at the 5-stars Hôtel Castille - Starhotels Collezione, Paris, France*, plus a gourmet voucher for two at Domaine de Châteauvieux.
2nd place: 2 nights B&B at the 5-stars Hotel Helvetia & Bristol Firenze - Starhotels Collezione, Florence, Italy*.
3rd place: 2 nights B&B at the 4-stars Hotel Rosa Grand - Starhotels Collezione, Milan, Italy*.

Get ready for an unforgettable experience. Good luck to all participants, may the best service artist win!

*Transport not included.

This is your moment.

Are you ready to add a new milestone in your journey through the F&B industry? Register here to receive detailed information and tips from Thomas Fefin to submit a successful application. Take the spotlight and let your service shine!