The winners, Kaitlyn (Kat) McGibbon, 21, chef de partie at Hazel restaurant at the AC Marriott Hotel in Glasgow, and Ben Smith, 21, chef de partie at Cameron House Hotel on Loch Lomond, traveled to Boulder to work alongside Escoffier faculty and students.
The scholarship was designed to accelerate the development of early-career chefs through international collaboration and mentorship. Along with their on-campus training, McGibbon and Smith will continue their professional development with a 12-month subscription to ESource, Escoffier Global's on-demand training platform, and by serving as Escoffier Global Ambassadors in Scotland.
"Welcoming Kat and Ben to our Boulder campus was an honor," said Kirk T. Bachmann, president and provost of Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts in Boulder. "Working alongside our chef instructors, they expanded their technical expertise in areas such as butchery, pastry, and plating, all under Escoffier's immersive, hands-on approach to culinary education. Our culinary culture thrives on collaboration—mentorship, shared learning, and mutual inspiration—and Kat and Ben exemplified that spirit. We connected immediately and welcomed them to the Escoffier family, and we are eager to see how they carry this experience back to Scotland and into the next chapter of their careers."
During their week in Boulder, the chefs moved from Escoffier's kitchen labs—where they sharpened techniques in pastry, plating, and butchery—to the fields of Black Cat Farm, gathering ingredients for a Farm To Table® Experience that underscored the importance of sustainable sourcing.
"This opportunity gives young chefs the confidence and exposure to grow as leaders," said Sheila Hale, vice president of international operations at Gecko Hospitality. "Seeing them in the kitchen, on the farm, and sharing meals with their peers was a powerful reminder of how cross-border collaboration can inspire a lifetime in hospitality."
David Cochrane MBE, chief executive of HIT Scotland, emphasized the impact of the program: "We believe in investing in talent at the right time—and the right time is early. This experience has given Kat and Ben new tools, perspectives, and connections that will support them throughout their careers. They are outstanding ambassadors for Scotland's future culinary leaders."
Quotes from Scholarship Winners
- Kat McGibbon: "It was amazing to kind of see everyone come together from all different backgrounds, from all different ages, and just work as a team and create great foods and work really well together. So, it's been amazing to just kind of see that and to be fully embraced in it."
- Ben Smith: "The produce here is right on your doorstep, they are harvesting it themselves every day and using it straightaway. At home, it's not really a big thing and everything really comes from larger companies. So it's something that we really want to introduce and this is probably the perfect idea to get in our heads to bring that home."
As the scholarship winners return to their posts in Glasgow and Loch Lomond, they will share their new skills and insights with colleagues and the wider Scottish culinary community.
About HIT Scotland
Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland is a registered Scottish charity founded in 1994 to support the development of individuals working in the hospitality industry. Through a wide range of scholarships and learning opportunities—both in the UK and internationally—HIT Scotland helps emerging and established professionals grow their skills, leadership potential, and career pathways. Each year, the organization invests in talent across all areas of hospitality. Learn more at hitscotland.co.uk.
About Gecko Hospitality
Based in Fort Myers, Florida, Gecko Hospitality is one of the largest recruiting firms dedicated solely to the hospitality and restaurant industry. Its national network of recruiters and franchise partners connects top-tier talent with companies across the sector, using a rigorous seven-step interview and placement process. Learn more at geckohospitality.com.
About Auguste Escoffier Global Solutions
Escoffier Global is a sister company of Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts and part of Triumph Higher Education Group LLC. A leading provider of training and workforce solutions for the culinary and hospitality industry, Escoffier Global supports businesses with customizable on-demand learning through its ESource platform and EConnect services. Learn more at escoffierglobal.com.
About Escoffier
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts is the largest culinary school brand in the U.S.* Escoffier's programs blend a classic and contemporary approach to culinary education, emphasizing sustainability and business skills. Escoffier is ranked One of the Best Colleges for Culinary Arts in America 2026 by Niche.com. Both the Boulder and Austin campuses are Great Place to Work-Certified™ institutions. For more information, visit escoffier.edu.
*Based on comparable student population data for Austin and Boulder as currently reported in Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
SOURCE Auguste Escoffier Global Solutions
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