Candice Scarlett is one of ILT’s rising hospitality stars, bringing enthusiasm and professionalism to her role as Assistant Manager at Meld. A Bachelor of Hotel Management graduate from SIT, Candice gained hands-on experience across several ILT hotels, starting at the Kelvin Hotel before joining The Langlands team in 2022.
After initially serving as Function Supervisor, Candice stepped into her current management role at the start of 2025.She thrives on the variety Meld offers and enjoys building connections with returning guests a reflection of the restaurant’s growing reputation for quality service and modern dining.
“We’ve got some wonderful regulars now and seeing them come back tells us we’re doing something right,” she says.
Candice credits Meld’s team for the energy behind its success. “We’ve got a young team, but they’re motivated and really work together to deliver top-notch service every single day.”
Earlier this year, Candice received the Scott Richardson Memorial Trust Scholarship, awarded to promising young hospitality professionals. With guidance from mentors Ethan Flack chairman of the trust and Wellington on a Plate founder Sarah Meikle, she seized the opportunity to head abroad, joining Marina Bay Sands in Singapore during the Formula One racing season.
“There were so many possibilities of where to go. Singapore had always been on my bucket list — mainly because I wanted to see Marina Bay Sands. And look, it came true! Even better, I had the opportunity to intern at Marina Bay Sands.”
During her month-long placement, Candice gained experience across multiple departments, including in-room dining, buffet restaurant, Gordon Ramsay restaurant , private club service and a Michelin-star restaurant, finishing her stint at the iconic Lavo Italian Restaurant perched at the top of the tower.
“It was an incredible experience,” she says. “The scale of the hotel, and the standard of service really impressed me. I learnt so much and have plenty of great takeaways to bring home.”
The opportunity also gave her a fresh perspective on how her studies translate to real-world operations. “It made me realise the papers I studied matched the role at a world-class hotel,” she says. “I’m very grateful for the scholarship and the experiences it opened up.”
Candice will share her journey at next year’s Dinner for Scott event, but for now, you’ll find her helping to lead the team at Meld, serving up exceptional hospitality with a touch of global inspiration in the heart of Invercargill.
