Roux Scholarship 2024 opens for entries as competition celebrates 40 years
Now open for entries for UK-resident chefs aged 22-29, the annual competition will now take place at the recently launched Alain Roux Culinary School at The Waterside Inn in Bray.
The new Culinary School is set in Michel Roux OBE’s former home and was created as ‘a unique centre of culinary education and training’ for the restaurant’s own kitchen and front of house staff, as well as guests.
The six national finalists will use state-of-the-art equipment on its six kitchen stations and will serve their dish to the judges in the adjoining Michel Roux library, which holds Alain’s late father’s collection of books.
“We are literally bringing The Roux Scholarship home... to my father’s home and I could not be happier. There can be no better tribute, as we look to celebrate 40 years since the founding of The Scholarship by my father and uncle,” Alain says. “The legacy of which he was most proud is The Roux Scholarship. Next year, in his own kitchen, we will choose our new scholar to join the family.”
Michel Roux Jr added: “In life, there are ‘pinch me’ moments and to be able to hold the 40th anniversary Roux Scholarship final in what was my uncle’s house is definitely one of them. Both brothers would be so proud to see the school and that we are holding the final there.”
The Roux Scholarship 2024 competition invites chefs to create a recipe for four people using the following ingredients and criteria.
• One short loin of free-range gilt pork from the shoulder end, weighing anywhere between 1.6kg and 1.8kg maximum, untrimmed with four bones in
• In addition, use two fresh pork kidneys, together plated with crackling and two simple or composed garnishes/accompaniments. One of them must include sweet potatoes and the other can be a garnish/accompaniment of the contestant’s choice. One of these can be served separately, if preferred
• A sauce must accompany the dish
Entrants have until midnight on 22 January 2024 to submit their recipes via the online application system.
The Roux Scholarship 2023 was won by The Ledbury sous chef April Lily Partridge. Other chefs to have won the cooking competition include Sat Bains, André Garrett and Simon Hulstone.
