Entries open for the Roux Scholarship 2023 with changes to the competition

Alex South

Editor

Entries open for the Roux Scholarship 2023 with several changes introduced to encourage a more diverse range of competitors.

It comes after Chairman Alain Roux admitted that the competition needed to evolve and that he wanted to attract chefs from “any background or type of kitchen” to enter.

After founding the scholarship in 1984 with Michel Roux, the competition has only ever had one female winner, with Mercy Fenton making the history books in 1994.

The changes introduced are set to encourage more female regional and national finalists’ whist also implementing practices to make the competition accessible to all types of chefs across the UK.

COMPETITION CHANGES

This year's winner will have a choice between two prizes: either a two-month stage at any three-Michelin-starred restaurant anywhere in the world or a bespoke training programme tailored to their career goals.

The winner will also receive up to £12,000 to support their career development and prizes from the competition's sponsors.

£6,000 of the prize money will be awarded to them on completion of 15 months' service with their current employer after they win. If the chef takes up a new role in that time, the funds will be awarded to the original employer to help in the development of the remaining brigade.

The challenge in the national final has also been tweaked to stop entrants feeling daunted by an Escoffier-inspired recipe.

Chefs will now be asked to prepare a key ingredient and bring their own interpretation to the dish, using classical French techniques.

Entries are open! Be part of The Roux Scholarship 2023 and it could change your life...
There are exciting developments this year. Are you ready to hear them? 🧵
— Roux Scholarship (@RouxScholarship) November 7, 2022

Whitepaper discussion

The changes to the competition follow a roundtable discussion held with chefs including Sally Abé, Rachel Humphrey, and Alisha Pereira, to discuss the issues facing female chefs in Britain and how the scholarship could address these to widen its appeal.

The outcome of the discussion led to the creation of a whitepaper used to help shape the competition’s future.

Over the course of the 2023 competition the scholarship will work to develop links with chefs who could form part of a female mentorship programme.

To find out more about this year's competition head over the Roux Scholarship website.

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