Roux Scholarship
{{Infobox award
| name = Roux Scholarship
| current_awards =
| image =
| imagesize =
| alt =
| caption =
| awarded_for = To find new talent in the catering industry.
| presenter = Alain Roux and Michel Roux Jr
| sponsor =
| host =
| date =
| location =
| country = United Kingdom
| reward = Three months at a three Michelin star restaurant
| year = 1984
| year2 = 2022
| holder =
| website = [http://www.rouxscholarship.co.uk/index.php Official website]
| network = Good Food (2012)
Watch (2013)
}}
The Roux Scholarship is a cooking competition for young 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 an annual basis, with winners undertaking a three-month placement in a Michelin-starred restaurant.
History
Colin Page, Director of Marketing, Diners Club UK, conceived the idea of the chef's scholarship with Michel Roux in 1983. The sponsorship of the scholarship was finally agreed between Nick Rowe of 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 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.{{cite news|title=Michel Roux: The Roux Scholarship|url=http://www.tvchoicemagazine.co.uk/interviewextra/michel-roux-roux-scholarship|access-date=3 September 2012|newspaper=TV Choice|date=10 July 2012}} The competition was formerly known as the Roux Diners Club Scholarship.{{cite news|title=Chris Colmer wins Roux Diners Club Scholarship|url=http://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/30/01/2008/26826/chris-colmer-wins-roux-diners-club-scholarship.htm|access-date=3 September 2012|newspaper=Caterer and Hotelkeeper|date=30 March 1995}}
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.{{cite news|last=Kühn|first=Kerstin|title=Adam Smith named 2012 Roux Scholar|url=http://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/22/06/2012/343465/Adam-Smith-named-2012-Roux-Scholar.htm|access-date=3 September 2012|newspaper=Caterer and Hotelkeeper|date=27 April 2012}} Entrants are limited to chefs who are working in full-time employment.{{cite news|last=Kühn|first=Kerstin|title=One week left to enter the 2012 Roux Scholarship|url=http://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/23/01/2012/341988/One-week-left-to-enter-the-2012-Roux-Scholarship.htm|access-date=3 September 2012|newspaper=Caterer and Hotelkeeper|date=23 January 2012}} Chefs are not limited to applying on one occasion; both [https://www.elephantrestaurant.co.uk Simon Hulstone] and [https://moorhall.com/moor-hall/markbirchall/ Mark Birchall] competed on four occasions before winning. The winner of the competition is allowed to choose a three Michelin starred restaurant to cook in for three months.{{cite web|title = The Roux Scholarship|url = http://goodfood.uktv.co.uk/the-roux-masterclass/video/angela-hartnett-cooks-stone-bass-and-squid/|publisher = Good Food|access-date = 3 September 2012}} More recently, an alternative Bespoke Roux Scholarship programme has been offered instead of the stage, where the winner works with The Roux Scholarship team to help develop their culinary skills via short term courses and international trips.{{cite web|title = Star Prize|url = https://www.rouxscholarship.co.uk/about-the-competition/prizes/|publisher = The Roux Scholarship|access-date = 2 April 2025}}
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 [https://www.clivedenhouse.co.uk/dine-with-us/andré-garrett-restaurant/ André Garrett], Sat Bains & [https://www.elephantrestaurant.co.uk Simon Hulstone]. In 2024, Michel's daughter, Chefs Emily Roux joined the judging panel {{cite web|title=Emily Roux|url=https://www.rouxscholarship.co.uk/judges/emily-roux/|access-date=30 March 2024}} and 2012 Roux Scholar [https://www.greatbritishchefs.com/chefs/adam-smith Adam Smith] also joining as a judge for the regional finals, before becoming a regular judge for the 2025 competition.{{cite web|title=Adam Smith MCA|url=https://www.rouxscholarship.co.uk/judges/adam-smith-mca/|access-date=23 December 2024|publisher=The Roux Scholarship}}
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.
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year |
|---|
| 2025 |
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2020/2021 |
| 2019 |
| 2018 |
| 2017 |
| 2016 |
Former Judges include Albert Roux, Michel Roux, Victor Ceserani, [https://www.thecaterer.com/news/hotel/peter-kromberg-former-executive-chef-at-the-intercontinental-park-lane-hotel-has-died Peter Kromberg], Heston Blumenthal, Rick Stein, Gary Rhodes, [https://www.nsif.org.uk/trustees/david-nicholls/ David Nicholls], former Roux Scholar [https://www.rouxscholarship.co.uk/winner/steve-love-mca/ 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.{{cite web|title = New dates set for 2020/2021 competition| date=22 February 2021 |url = https://www.rouxscholarship.co.uk/new-dates-set-for-2020-2021-competition/|publisher = The Roux Scholarship|access-date = 17 May 2021}}
From 2023 onwards, rather than a pre-selected dish that the finalists would be given on the day, the 6 contenders are allowed to prepare their own version of a French dish using set Key ingredients.{{cite web|title=Join us live from London to discover who will be named Roux Scholarship winner 2023!|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mnjPuBOK14&t=2142s|publisher=YouTube|access-date=3 July 2023}}
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.{{cite web|title = Roux Scholarship|url = https://www.youtube.com/user/RouxScholarship/|publisher = YouTube|access-date = 17 May 2021}}
Past winners
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Restaurant/Package chosen ! Ref |
|---|
| 2025
|Craig Johnston | |
| 2024
|Karol Ploch | |
| 2023
|April Lily Partridge |Bespoke Package (Australia & Mexico) |
| 2022
|Jonathan Ferguson |
| 2020/21
|Oli Williamson |[https://www.restaurantzen.com/ Zén] |
| 2019
|Spencer Metzger |
| 2018
|Martin Carabott |
| 2017
|Luke Selby |
| 2016
| {{sortname|Harry|Guy|dab=chef}} | Saison |
| 2015
| {{sortname|Ian|Scaramuzza|dab=chef}} | Benu |
| 2014
| {{sortname|Tom|Barnes|dab=chef}} |
| 2013
| {{sortname|Paul|O'Neill|dab=chef}} |
| 2012
| {{sortname|Adam|Smith|dab=chef}} |
| 2011
| {{sortname|Mark|Birchall}} |
| 2010
| {{sortname|Kenneth|Culhane}} |
| 2009
| {{sortname|Hrishikesh|Desai}} |
| 2008
| {{sortname|Dan|Cox|dab=chef}} |
| 2007
| {{sortname|Armand|Sablon}} |
| 2006
| {{sortname|Pravin|Sharma}} |
| 2005
| {{sortname|Matthew|Tomkinson}} |
| 2004
| {{sortname|Andrew|Jones|dab=chef}} |
| 2003
| {{sortname|Simon|Hulstone}} |
| 2002
| {{sortname|André|Garrett}} |
| 2001
| {{sortname|Steve|Drake|dab=chef}} |
| 2000
| {{sortname|Frederick|Forster}} |
| 1999
| {{sortname|Sat|Bains}} |
| 1998
| {{sortname|Patrick|Thompson|dab=chef}} |
| 1997
| {{sortname|Stephen|Love|dab=chef}} |
| 1996
| {{sortname|Trevor|Blyth}} |
| 1995
| {{sortname|Chris|Colmer|dab=chef}} |
| 1994
| {{sortname|Mercy|Fenton}} |
| 1993
| {{sortname|Jonathan|Harrison|dab=chef}} |
| 1992
| {{sortname|James|Carberry}} |
| 1991
| {{sortname|Eugene|Callaghan}} |
| 1990
| {{sortname|Scott|Hessel}} |
| 1989
| {{sortname|Martin|Hadden}} |
| 1988
| {{sortname|Ricky|Perrin}} |
| 1987
| {{sortname|Richard|Stuart|dab=chef}} |
| 1986
| {{sortname|Rene|Pauvert}} |
| 1985
| {{sortname|John|Murray|dab=chef}} |
| 1984
| {{sortname|Andrew|Fairlie|Andrew Fairlie (chef)}} |