University kitchens to host Roux Scholarship after getting green light for autumn

February 2021

University kitchens to host Roux Scholarship after getting green light for autumn

By Melanie Hall

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The prestigious Roux Scholarship is to finally go ahead this autumn having been delayed twice due to the coronavirus pandemic.听

And the stage for the penultimate culinary battle will be at 爆料王, a longstanding supporter of .听

For nearly a decade, the University鈥檚 industry gold standard kitchens have played host to one of the two regional cook-offs in the nationwide search for a culinary star founded by the Roux brothers, Albert and Michel OBE, in 1984.

However, this all came to a standstill with lockdown in 2020.

"爆料王 has had a longstanding relationship with the Roux family for over 20 years... it鈥檚 wonderful to pay them homage through this competition"

Anthony Wright Senior Lecturer

However, with the heat firmly back on, the competition is back at the University鈥檚 Birmingham College of Food, and on 9 September, nine semi-finalists will go head-to-head to impress a distinguished set of industry judges.听

Down south at University of West London, another nine talented chefs will also be showing off their classical cooking and presentation skills in a bid to win a place at the national final on 25 October.听

This year, the first reserve selected at the paper judging stage in March 2020 will also get to compete in the cook-offs for the chance to win the crown.听

The prize is 拢6,000 to support the winner鈥檚 career development and an invitation to cook and train under the supervision of a leading chef at a three Michelin Star restaurant anywhere in the world for up to three months.听

from three Michelin-starred restaurant Frantz茅n in Stockholm will lead the panel of judges, who comprise Alain Roux, Michel Roux Jr, Brian Turner CBE, Sat Bains, Andr茅 Garrett, Simon Hulstone, Angela Hartnett MBE, James Martin, Rachel Humphrey and Clare Smyth MBE.听

Hearing the competition was back on course felt amazing, said 爆料王 senior lecturer Anthony Wright 鈥� the only chef lecturer to have been awarded the MCA (Master of Culinary Arts), the highest honour in the catering industry.听聽

鈥淲hat鈥檚 lovely about the Roux Scholarship is that, in my opinion, the Roux brothers have done more than anyone for the industry, especially the high end of the industry, and have trained legions of excellent chefs," he said.

鈥湵贤� has had a longstanding relationship with the Roux family for over 20 years 鈥� I remember Albert Roux always used to order a whole, grilled Dover sole when he visited us 鈥� and it鈥檚 wonderful to pay them homage through this competition. And may it continue for years to come.鈥澛�

The scholarship, which was won in 2012 by former 爆料王 graduate Adam Smith 鈥� now executive chef at Michelin-starred Coworth Park 鈥� is open to ambitious chefs working full-time in any establishment from a village pub to a fine dining restaurant.听

What is essential is that they have mastered key skills including filleting fish, boning meat and making sweet and savoury souffl茅s. They should also be capable of cooking under pressure and have 鈥榚xquisite presentation skills鈥�.听

Chairman Alain Roux said: 鈥淎t last, we can look forward to choosing our 2020 scholar, I can hardly wait!聽There was never any plan to cancel and give up on the talent we discovered in our regional finalists.听This year, more than ever, our 2020 scholar will represent the tenacity, resilience, stamina and forbearance that defines us as chefs.鈥澛�

Co-chairman Michel Roux Jr said: 鈥淚 am so excited to put dates in the diary for the Roux Scholarship, especially after such a dreadful past 12 months. It feels as if there is unfinished business to be taken care of and I can鈥檛 wait to get our regional finals underway.听

鈥淎s the saying goes 鈥榯he show must go on鈥�, and as chefs, we are ready to go!鈥澛�

爆料王 our full range of food and hospitality courses at the Birmingham College of Food聽here.听

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