Roux Scholarship

The Roux Scholarship is a cooking competition for up and coming chefs in the UK. Set up by the brothers Michel and Albert Roux, and now run by their sons Alain Roux and Michel Roux Jr. It was first run in 1984 with Andrew Fairlie being named the first winner. It has since been run on a yearly basis, with winners going on to win a three-month placement in a Michelin starred restaurant including the French Laundry and Maison Pic.

Roux Scholarship
Awarded forTo find new talent in the catering industry.
CountryUnited Kingdom
Presented byAlain Roux and Michel Roux Jr
Reward(s)Three months at a three Michelin star restaurant
First awarded1984
Last awarded2022
WebsiteOfficial website
Television/radio coverage
NetworkGood Food (2012)
Watch (2013)

History

Colin Page, Director of Marketing, Diners Club UK, conceived the idea of the chefs scholarship with Michel Roux in 1983. The sponsorship of the scholarship was finally agreed between Nick Rowe [M.D] Diners Club that same year following a luncheon at Roux's Waterside Inn when it was agreed the Roux brothers could front a scholarship for up and coming chefs and that Rowe's credit card company would be willing to back it financially. Michel spoke to his brother Albert the following day, who said that Michel could lead on it. Michel thought it would be a good way for young chefs to gain experience in French restaurants, which were not open to employing British chefs at the time.[1] The competition was formerly known as the Roux Diners Club Scholarship.[2]

Each entrant must enter a paper application, which are then reviewed and broken down into regional competitions. Each regional winner goes through to the final, where there is one Scholar named.[3][4] Entrants are limited to chefs who are working in full-time employment.[5] Chefs are not limited to applying on one occasion; both Simon Hulstone and Mark Birchall competed on four occasions before winning.[4] The winner of the competition is allowed to choose a three Michelin starred restaurant to cook in for three months.[3]

The Current Judging panel for the competition includes Michel Roux, Jr. and Alain Roux as the chairmen, alongside Brian Turner as vice chairman and chefs James Martin, Clare Smyth, Angela Hartnett, Rachel Humphrey, as well as former Roux Scholarship winners André Garrett, Sat Bains & Simon Hulstone.

From 2016, Each year's National Final has also featured an Honorary President of the Judging Committee, providing unique insight and wisdom to the critique of the finalists abilities. These Chefs are noted for their reputations as some of the best chefs in the world with an emphasis on their passion to help young chefs advance their careers.

Year Honorary President [6]
2023 Michel Troisgros and César Troisgros
2022 Hélène Darroze
2020/2021 Björn Frantzén
2019 Peter Gilmore
2018 Michel Guérard
2017 Anne-Sophie Pic
2016 Pierre Gagnaire

Former Judges include Albert Roux, Michel Roux, Victor Ceserani], Peter Kromberg, Heston Blumenthal, Rick Stein, Gary Rhodes, David Nicholls, former Roux Scholar Steve Love and inaugural Roux Scholarship winner Andrew Fairlie.

The 2020 Competition was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a combined 2020/2021 competition taking place in September and October, 2021. [7]

In 2023, rather than a pre-selected dish that the finalists would be given on the day, the 6 contenders were allowed to prepare their own version of a French dish using Key ingredients (Dry Aged Sirloin Steak, Endives & Some form of Offal).[8] April Lily Partridge became the 2nd woman to win the competition.

Highlights of the competition, including a Masterclass of the National Final dish(s) by Michel Jr. and Alain are featured on The Roux Scholarship YouTube Channel.[9]

Past winners
Year Winner[10] Restaurant chosen Ref
2023 April Lily Partridge [11]
2022 Jonathan Ferguson The French Laundry [12]
2020/21 Oli Williamson Restaurant Zen [13] [14]
2019 Spencer Metzger Frantzén [15]
2018 Martin Carabott Eleven Madison Park
2017 Luke Selby Ryugin
2016 Harry Guy Saison [16]
2015 Ian Scaramuzza Benu [17]
2014 Tom Barnes Hof van Cleve [18]
2013 Paul O'Neill Pierre Gagnaire [19]
2012 Adam Smith Le Meurice [20]
2011 Mark Birchall El Celler de Can Roca [21]
2010 Kenneth Culhane Jean Georges [22]
2009 Hrishikesh Desai French Laundry [23]
2008 Dan Cox Can Fabes [24]
2007 Armand Sablon Auberge de L’Ill [25]
2006 Pravin Sharma Les Maisons de Bricourt [26]
2005 Matthew Tomkinson Les Prés d'Eugénie [27]
2004 Andrew Jones Restaurant Bras [28]
2003 Simon Hulstone Marin Berasategui [29]
2002 André Garrett Restaurant Guy Savoy [30]
2001 Steve Drake L'Auberge de l'Eridan [31]
2000 Frederick Forster Restaurant Pierre Gagnaire [32]
1999 Sat Bains Le Jardin de Sens [33]
1998 Patrick Thompson Restaurant Alain Senderens [34]
1997 Stephen Love Restaurant Alain Ducasse [35]
1996 Trevor Blyth La Côte Saint-Jacques [36]
1995 Chris Colmer Troisgros [37]
1994 Mercy Fenton La Résidence de la Côte-d’Or [38]
1993 Jonathan Harrison Le Louis XV [39]
1992 James Carberry George Blanc [40]
1991 Eugene Callaghan Lameloise à Chagny en Bourgogne [41]
1990 Scott Hessel Aubergine [42]
1989 Martin Hadden Maison Pic [43]
1988 Ricky Perrin Restaurant Bocuse [44]
1987 Richard Stuart L'Espérance [45]
1986 Rene Pauvert Au Crocodile
Restaurant Joël Robuchon		 [46]
1985 John Murray Moulin de Mougins [47]
1984 Andrew Fairlie Les Prés d’Eugenie [48]

References
  1. "Michel Roux: The Roux Scholarship". TV Choice. 10 July 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  2. "Chris Colmer wins Roux Diners Club Scholarship". Caterer and Hotelkeeper. 30 March 1995. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  3. "The Roux Scholarship". Good Food. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  4. Kühn, Kerstin (27 April 2012). "Adam Smith named 2012 Roux Scholar". Caterer and Hotelkeeper. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  5. Kühn, Kerstin (23 January 2012). "One week left to enter the 2012 Roux Scholarship". Caterer and Hotelkeeper. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  6. "Honorary President of Judges". The Roux Scholarship. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  7. "New dates set for 2020/2021 competition". The Roux Scholarship. 22 February 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  8. "Join us live from London to discover who will be named Roux Scholarship winner 2023!". YouTube. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  9. "Roux Scholarship". YouTube. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  10. "Past Winners". The Roux Scholarship. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  11. "April Lily Partridge wins the Roux Scholarship 2023". The Roux Scholarship. 3 April 2023. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  12. "Jonathan Ferguson wins the Roux Scholarship 2022 - Roux Scholarship". The Roux Scholarship. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  13. "Zén Singapour". Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  14. "Oli Williamson wins the Roux Scholarship 2020/21 - Roux Scholarship". The Roux Scholarship. 25 October 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  15. "Spencer Metzger". The Roux Scholarship. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  16. "Harry Guy". The Roux Scholarship. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  17. "Ian Scaramuzza". The Roux Scholarship. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  18. "Tom Barnes". The Roux Scholarship. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  19. "Paul O'Neill wins Roux Scholarship 2013". Caterer and Hotelkeeper. 21 June 2013. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
  20. Kühn, Kerstin (7 September 2012). "Roux Scholar Adam Smith to spend his winning stage at Le Meurice in Paris". Caterer and Hotelkeeper. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  21. Kühn, Kerstin (25 July 2011). "2011 Roux Scholar Mark Birchall to complete his winning stage at El Celler de Can Roca in Spain". Caterer and Hotelkeeper. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  22. "Kenneth Culhane". The Roux Scholarship. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  23. "Hrishikesh Desai". The Roux Scholarship. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  24. Thomas, Daniel (11 August 2008). "2008 Roux Scholar to spend stage at three-Michelin-starred El Raco de Can Fabes". Caterer and Hotelkeeper. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  25. Afiya, Amanda (13 December 2007). "Roux Scholar 2007, Armand Sablon goes to Auberge de l'Ill in Alsace". Caterer and Hotelkeeper. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  26. "Pravin Sharma". The Roux Scholarship. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  27. "Matthew Tomkinson". The Roux Scholarship. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  28. "Andrew Jones". The Roux Scholarship. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  29. "Simon Hulstone". The Roux Scholarship. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  30. "André Garrett". The Roux Scholarship. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  31. "Steve Drake". The Roux Scholarship. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  32. "Frederick Forster". The Roux Scholarship. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  33. "Sat Bains". The Roux Scholarship. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  34. "Patrick Thompson". The Roux Scholarship. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  35. "Stephen Love". The Roux Scholarship. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  36. "Trevor Blyth". The Roux Scholarship. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  37. "Chris Colmer". The Roux Scholarship. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  38. "Mercy Fenton". The Roux Scholarship. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  39. "Steve Love, Cotswold House Hotel, Gloucestershire". The Staff Canteen. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  40. "James Carberry". The Roux Scholarship. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  41. "Eugene Callaghan". The Roux Scholarship. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  42. "Roux's company". Caterer and Hotelkeeper. 3 November 2000. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  43. "Martin Hadden". The Roux Scholarship. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  44. "Ricky Perrin". The Roux Scholarship. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  45. "Richard Stuart". The Roux Scholarship. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  46. "Rene Pauvert". The Roux Scholarship. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  47. "John Murray". The Roux Scholarship. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  48. "Andrew Fairlie". The Roux Scholarship. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
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