Amy said: "I am completely overwhelmed and so proud of what I have achieved. This highlights that you should never give up in trying to fulfil your dreams. I will continue to strive for excellence and can not wait to see how The Savoy Gastronomes' Olive Barnett Award helps me on my hospitality journey!" "We had a very high calibre of entrants this year and Amy performed well in all areas of the award. She is a great ambassador for the industry." Virginia Masser, The Savoy Gastronomes. The Savoy Gastronomes Olive Barnett Award was created by The Savoy Gastronomes in recognition of Olive Barnett who pioneered excellence at The Savoy. The awards ceremony was held at the beautiful setting of the newly refurbished Savoy hotel. Over 250 VIP industry bodies attended the anticipated evening, which marked the end of an intense judging weekend for the eight finalists. As winner of the award for 2010, Amy Dignon will receive a career development grant of £1,750 per year, for two years. She will also spend one week on the Lausanne Executive Education Summer Programme, provided by the globally respected Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne, Switzerland. First runner up of the award is Lucinda Creech from London Heathrow Marriott hotel, will receive a development grant of £1,250 per year, for two years. Second runner up, is Marianne Brown from Thistle Piccadilly, she will receive a development grant of £750 per year, for two years. They will both also be entitled to attend a short course at the prestigious Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne. Virginia Masser, committee member of The Savoy Gastronomes' said: "Once again this year has been a great success. Many congratulations to all the finalists and our 3 winners and thank you to all the partners and sponsors involved. We look forward to The Savoy Gastronomes 2011 award in May 2011."