Born from the friendship between Newcastle hotelier and hospitality entrepreneur Scott Webster and the late Trevor Drayton, one of the Hunter’s most iconic wine makers, the Trevor Drayton Scholarship was created in 2013 to give local hospitality up-and-comers the chance to make their mark.
Held annually at Carrington Place, owned by Webster, the Trevor Drayton Scholarship lunch has so far awarded more than $80,000 to 17 young hopefuls’ along with some incredible opportunities thanks to Webster’s own illustrious career and the success and iconic nature of the Drayton’s brand.
This year there will be two recipients of the Trevor Drayton Scholarship, as well as awarding of the inaugural Max Drayton Medal in recognition of the outstanding contribution to the local wine industry, and presentation of the illustrious Len Evans Tutorial Scholarship.
“When I was young, I was given an opportunity as a kitchen apprentice here in Newcastle to participate in a culinary competition in Sydney,” Scott said.
“From there I found an opportunity at the Royal Sydney Golf Club that helped to cement my future in the industry. So, for me this is all about giving back and honouring Trevor.”
For Webster, the scholarship is close to his heart not only because it honours a mate, but because it provides a platform for anyone determined to succeed, regardless of their starting point.
“What I’m trying to do is find young hospitality people who might work at a pub in the Upper Hunter or an RSL Club somewhere who need a bridge to help them get to that next level because they don’t work at Rockpool, they don’t work at Muse, and don’t have access to those elite scholarship opportunities,” he said.
“What I’m trying to do is find young hospitality people who might work at a pub in the Upper Hunter or an RSL Club somewhere who need a bridge to help them get to that next level because they don’t work at Rockpool, they don’t work at Muse, and don’t have access to those elite scholarship opportunities..."
Not unlike his recipients, Webster started out in Newcastle and went on to work at legendary hotels including the Savoy in London, the Grand Hotel in Switzerland, and the prestigious Bel Air Country Club in Hollywood.
He has also worked in several prestigious venues throughout Europe, the USA, Canada and Asia and is also the powerhouse behind Australian Culinary Consultants (ACC), which has planned and developed dining concepts for some of the world's major hospitality projects.
As a result, recipients of the Trevor Drayton Scholarship can be provided with incredible hospitality experiences including working at Webster’s own Michelin-star Osia restaurant in Singapore which was the first Australian restaurant to be entered in the Michelin guide and awarded a 1-star Michellin rating, overseas wine-making opportunities and other Michelin-star restaurant placements. Local opportunities also include funding for TAFE and other local educational courses.
This year, the Trevor Drayton Scholarship lunch will held on Sunday, 23 February at Carrington Place and attended by the region’s best-known vineyards including Peter Drayton Wines, Draytons Family Winery, First Creek Wines, de Iuliis Wines, Ironbark Hill Brewery, Allandale Wines and leading Hunter food suppliers.
Trevor Drayton Scholarship Lunch
Sunday, 23 February from 1pm at Carrington Place, Carrington
Tickets $90 per head includes engraved Reidel wine glass to keep, wine and matching finger food, craft beer and live music.
Lunch hosted by Mike Rabbit
Tickets available from the venue on (02) 4961 1116.