Latest news with #TheRitz
Daily Record
29-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Scots chefs offered once-in-a-lifetime chance to train at iconic hotel kitchen
A new scholarship gives one Scottish chef the chance to train at a Michelin-starred kitchen and learn from the best Scotland's rising culinary stars are being given a rare chance to learn from the very best, as a prestigious new scholarship opens the door to one of the UK's most iconic kitchens. Launched by Scotland Food & Drink and HIT Scotland, the Legacy Scholarship Award is now open for applications, offering one ambitious chef the opportunity of a lifetime; a five-day learning experience inside the two Michelin-starred kitchen of The Ritz London. The scheme was created to honour Scotland's historic hosting of the Michelin Guide Ceremony for Great Britain and Ireland earlier this year, and aims to continue that momentum by nurturing the next generation of Scottish chefs. Fiona Richmond, head of regional food at Scotland Food & Drink, said: 'Having the Michelin Award Ceremony held in Scotland for the first time shone a spotlight on the wealth of talent we have working in kitchens up and down the country. 'The new Legacy Scholarship is an important part of helping the next generation develop skills and progress their career. We're looking forward to hearing from chefs who are passionate about Scotland's world-class ingredients, from seafood and dairy to whisky and beef, and who want to take the next step in their culinary journey. 'John Williams and the team at The Ritz are renowned for their skill, refinement and dedication, so this truly is a unique opportunity to learn at the highest level.' Scottish chefs offered once-in-a-lifetime chance to train in iconic kitchen The scholarship offers a fully funded five-day stage at The Ritz London, working hands-on with executive chef John Williams MBE and his acclaimed team. Travel and local accommodation in central London will be arranged for the winner, with the experience taking place in October or November 2025. Applications are open to any chef currently working full-time in a professional kitchen in Scotland, with a minimum of five years' experience. Candidates must remain employed in Scotland until the scholarship has been completed. The winner will also become an ambassador for the programme, expected to share their experience through interviews, photos, and social media content. They will also be invited to speak at future Scotland Food & Drink events about the impact of the scholarship on their career. David Cochrane, CEO of HIT Scotland, described the opportunity as a game-changer: 'These opportunities are a once-in-a-lifetime chance to learn from the best of the best, and enhance your skills and knowledge with one of the top practitioners in the country. 'We are proud to support this legacy from the Awards, and this will be a very desirable learning experience at The Ritz.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The application deadline is Friday 13 June, and shortlisted finalists will be interviewed before the winner is announced at the Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards on Thursday 4 September at Glasgow's DoubleTree by Hilton. John Williams MBE added: 'I believe that strong mentorship and quality training are essential to shaping the next generation of industry leaders, and we would be honoured to welcome the winner to spend a week with us at The Ritz London.' With Scotland's fine dining scene booming, from Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles to The Glenturret Lalique, the Legacy Scholarship aims to ensure the country's top talent continues to thrive on the global culinary stage.
Scotsman
28-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Last chance for Scottish chefs to secure Ritz internship
There are just over two weeks left for Scotland's top culinary talent to apply for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work in one of the UK's most iconic kitchens – The Ritz London – as part of the new Scotland Food & Drink and HIT Scotland Legacy Scholarship Award. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Launched to cement the legacy of Scotland's first ever hosting of the MICHELIN Guide Ceremony for Great Britain & Ireland, the scholarship aims to help a rising Scottish chef elevate their career, with one talented winner able to spend five days learning from Executive Chef John Williams MBE and his award-winning team at The Ritz London – an experience few chefs ever access. The deadline to apply is Friday, 13th June, and chefs from across Scotland are encouraged to take this chance to gain world-class training while championing Scotland's exceptional larder. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad With restaurants like Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles and The Glenturret Lalique holding two MICHELIN Stars, and a further 11 one-starred establishments across the country, Scotland's fine dining scene is thriving. This scholarship provides a new path to support and inspire the next generation of chefs in continuing that momentum. Chefs from across Scotland are encouraged to take this chance to gain world-class training at The Ritz Restaurant Applications are open to chefs with at least five years' experience in a professional kitchen. Judges will be looking for passion, ambition, and a commitment to Scottish produce, with finalists invited for interview before the winner is revealed at the Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards on Thursday, 4th September at DoubleTree by Hilton, Glasgow. Fiona Richmond, Head of Regional Food at Scotland Food & Drink, said: 'Having the MICHELIN Award Ceremony held in Scotland for the first time shone a spotlight on the wealth of talent we have working in kitchens up and down the country – and the new Legacy Scholarship is an important part of helping the next generation develop skills and progress their career. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We're looking forward to hearing from chefs who are passionate about Scotland's world-class ingredients – from seafood and dairy to whisky and beef – and who want to take the next step in their culinary journey. John Williams and the team at The Ritz are renowned for their skill, refinement and dedication, so this truly is a unique opportunity to learn at the highest level.' The winner will spend five days learning from Executive Chef John Williams MBE and his award-winning team at The Ritz London. David Cochrane, CEO of HIT Scotland, added: 'These opportunities are a once-in-a-lifetime chance to learn from the best of the best, and enhance your skills and knowledge with one of the top practitioners in the country. We are proud to support this legacy from the Awards, and this will be a very desirable learning experience at The Ritz.' John Williams MBE, Executive Chef at The Ritz London, said: 'I believe that strong mentorship and quality training are essential to shaping the next generation of industry leaders, and we would be honoured to welcome the winner to spend a week with us at The Ritz London."
Sydney Morning Herald
28-05-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
The world's busiest international airport is shutting down. What's next?
When Dubai International (DXB) first opened in 1960, its runway was a strip of compacted sand. Fast forward 65 years and it's the busiest international airport on the planet, processing 92.3 million passengers last year alone (when including domestic passengers, it's pipped by Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson as the world's busiest). More of a luxury shopping mall with planes, DXB far outshines any of our airports and if, like Tom Hanks in The Terminal, you were ever stranded there, you probably wouldn't mind too much. Where else can you buy a Rolex, a Rolls-Royce and a McChicken sandwich before your 3am boarding call? It's basically The Ritz with baggage claim. Unsurprisingly, though, it's beginning to feel the strain. Hemmed in by highways and residential areas, DXB has nowhere to bulge, so last April UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced that operations would slowly be phased across to Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC), located 61 kilometres to the south of DXB, when its expansion is completed in 2032. Backed by the desert, this hyper-modern, AI-purring, mega-hub will be aviation's new darling with 400 aircraft gates (compared to the current 29) and poised to handle 260 million passengers per year once it's fully operational. With DXB being gently nudged aside like a beloved grandparent who's just a little too slow for today's high-speed air travel, what will become of the empty site? Dubai isn't the kind of city to let nearly 3000 hectares of prime urban real estate, just a 15-minute drive from downtown, gather sand. This is a place that built a ski slope in the desert and named islands after continents. They dream big, so something more innovative and headline-worthy is also likely. We game-planned some potential scenarios and explored how other decommissioned airports around the world have been reinvented to see where Dubai might take inspiration. Let's taxi down the runway of possibilities.
The Age
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Age
The world's busiest international airport is shutting down. What's next?
When Dubai International (DXB) first opened in 1960, its runway was a strip of compacted sand. Fast forward 65 years and it's the busiest international airport on the planet, processing 92.3 million passengers last year alone (when including domestic passengers, it's pipped by Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson as the world's busiest). More of a luxury shopping mall with planes, DXB far outshines any of our airports and if, like Tom Hanks in The Terminal, you were ever stranded there, you probably wouldn't mind too much. Where else can you buy a Rolex, a Rolls-Royce and a McChicken sandwich before your 3am boarding call? It's basically The Ritz with baggage claim. Unsurprisingly, though, it's beginning to feel the strain. Hemmed in by highways and residential areas, DXB has nowhere to bulge, so last April UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced that operations would slowly be phased across to Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC), located 61 kilometres to the south of DXB, when its expansion is completed in 2032. Backed by the desert, this hyper-modern, AI-purring, mega-hub will be aviation's new darling with 400 aircraft gates (compared to the current 29) and poised to handle 260 million passengers per year once it's fully operational. With DXB being gently nudged aside like a beloved grandparent who's just a little too slow for today's high-speed air travel, what will become of the empty site? Dubai isn't the kind of city to let nearly 3000 hectares of prime urban real estate, just a 15-minute drive from downtown, gather sand. This is a place that built a ski slope in the desert and named islands after continents. They dream big, so something more innovative and headline-worthy is also likely. We game-planned some potential scenarios and explored how other decommissioned airports around the world have been reinvented to see where Dubai might take inspiration. Let's taxi down the runway of possibilities.
Tatler Asia
26-05-2025
- Tatler Asia
Regal stays: 8 historic hotels with aristocratic and royal connections
2. The Gritti Palace (Venice, Italy) Set on the Grand Canal, The Gritti Palace is a triumph of Venetian Gothic architecture and heritage. Originally built in the 14th century, the palazzo became the private residence of Andrea Gritti, the Doge of the Venetian Republic, in 1525. Later transformed into a luxury hotel in 1895, it now belongs to Marriott's Luxury Collection, with interiors restored by Rubelli. Ernest Hemingway once called it his Venetian home. John Ruskin, Winston Churchill and Grace Kelly were also frequent guests. The hotel now offers 82 rooms, including the Hemingway Suite and the Redentore Terrazza, with panoramic views of Venice. When dining at The Gritti Terrace or sipping cocktails at Bar Longhi, guests are enveloped in the city's cultural past. 3. Château de Bagnols (Beaujolais, France) Dating back to 1217, Château de Bagnols is a medieval fortress turned Renaissance château in the heart of wine country. Royalty has walked its halls—King Charles VIII visited in 1490, and his crown still adorns the guardroom fireplace. Later residents included Madame de Sévigné, who wrote of the château in her letters. Restored in the late 1980s and now a five-star hotel, its suites feature original frescoes, antique furniture and period tapestries. Surrounded by vineyards and formal gardens, guests can enjoy tastings in its ancient caves or dine at Michelin-starred Le 1217. 4. The Ritz (London, UK) Designed in the French château style by Charles Mewès and Arthur Davis, its Louis XVI interiors and gilded flourishes have hosted royalty since 1906. Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 80th birthday here, and King Charles III renewed its Royal Warrant in 2024. Afternoon tea at The Palm Court is a London institution, while The Ritz Restaurant and the Rivoli Bar remain essential experiences. With individually styled suites and views over Green Park, The Ritz continues to attract London high society. 5. Villa d'Este (Lake Como, Italy) Built in 1568 for Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio, Villa d'Este has hosted everyone from the Princess of Wales (Caroline of Brunswick) to Czarina Maria Feodorovna. Converted into a hotel in 1873, its 152 rooms and suites blend Renaissance charm with 21st-century comfort. The 25-acre gardens—named a national monument—include mosaic grottos, a nymphaeum, and the iconic floating pool on the lake. Guests such as Greta Garbo, Elizabeth Taylor, Alfred Hitchcock and George Clooney have all stayed, lured by its baroque beauty and Como's timeless allure. In case you missed it: Lamborghini Asterion LPI 910-4 makes a rare appearance at Grand Hotel Villa d'Este and Villa Erba, Italy 6. Rambagh Palace (Jaipur, India) Once a garden retreat for a royal nurse in 1835, Rambagh Palace became the residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur by 1931. Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II and Maharani Gayatri Devi transformed it into Rajasthan's most opulent royal address. Queen Elizabeth II stayed here during her 1961 India tour, as did Jacqueline Kennedy and King Charles III. The palace, now managed by the Taj Group, is known for its Indo-Saracenic architecture, Mughal gardens and heritage dining at Suvarna Mahal. Polo Bar and Steam—a cocktail bar set in a Victorian train station—lend period charm. 7. Hotel Imperial (Vienna, Austria) Originally the Palais Württemberg, Hotel Imperial was built in 1863 and transformed into a hotel for the 1873 Vienna World's Fair. A masterpiece of Neo-Renaissance architecture, it became the go-to address for Emperor Franz Joseph I, who used it for diplomatic meetings and royal audiences. Guests have included Queen Elizabeth II, Richard Wagner, Charlie Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock and Freud. With 138 rooms and suites decorated with silk walls and antique furnishings, the hotel continues its tradition of imperial elegance. Café Imperial and its namesake torte remain an iconic Viennese indulgence. 8. Ashford Castle (County Mayo, Ireland) Ashford Castle traces its roots to 1228, with the Guinness family later transforming it into a Victorian country retreat. The Prince of Wales (later King George V) visited in 1905, and the George V Dining Room still honours his stay. Now part of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection, Ashford offers 83 individually styled rooms, including staterooms in the oldest parts of the castle. The 350-acre estate features formal gardens, falconry, and lakeside views of Lough Corrib. Grace Kelly, John Wayne, Ronald Reagan and Pierce Brosnan have all visited, drawn by its Celtic romance and grandeur.
