André triumphant at winning the Scholarship

Andre Garrett, Head Chef of Orrery, was named Roux Scholar 2002 at a gala awards ceremony hosted by the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park this week. This was the first time Garrett, aged 29, had entered the Roux Scholarship and he had fierce competition in the finals from three past finalists. His runner up was Darin Campbell from Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles, who very nearly managed to achieve a culinary first - two Roux Scholars at one establishment. Andrew Fairlie was the original Roux Scholar, back in 1984 when the competition was first started.

"It is the most fantastic opportunity in any young chef's career. Roux Scholars are definitely put in the "fast track" as far as their careers are concerned - two of them have Michelin stars." Says Garrett.

Garrett's win will not only give him the fantastic opportunity to travel to France, Italy, and the Caribbean, but also to hone further his cooking skills at a three-star Michelin restaurant of his choice anywhere in Europe.

Six talented young chefs battled it out in the heat of the kitchens at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, with the Scholarship hotly contested from start to finish. Tensions ran high as the young finalists each cooked their dish, but he remained in full control and was a clear winner.

The finalists each had two hours to prepare and present their version, of a classic Escoffier recipe for Pot-Roasted Guinea Fowl with Sauerkraut. Under the eagle eyes of the renowned panel of judges, the chefs chopped and sliced vegetables and cooked the main dish, each intent on achieving the demanding task of maximum impact of flavour and visual appeal, within the time and recipe constraints.

"The recipe is a classic concept but it is full of different flavours and the way the dish is cooked brings the out the very best of all the ingredients," explained Michel Roux.

André with Albert and Michel Roux

"The finalists all seemed to understand the recipe well and each contestant's dish was well executed. The standard was very high this year, but André really was the outright winner." The other finalists were Leigh Myers of Simply Heathcote's in Preston, Glynn Purnell of Simpson's in Kenilworth, Allan Thistleton of UBS Warburg (Compass Group) and Andrew Jones of Claridge's.

As this year's Roux Scholar, Garrett will receive an impressive array of prizes, including an invitation to cook and train for up to three months at a prestigious three-star Michelin restaurant in Europe and £2,500 cash, all courtesy of the Roux family. He will also have the rare chance to join the culinary team on board a luxury Celebrity Cruises cruiser in the Caribbean; a trip to Italy to see Caffé Musetti being roasted; a trip to Aÿ, to visit the home of Champagne Gosset, and commemorative gifts from All-Clad and EuropFelix. In addition, the winner's establishment will receive product totally £5,000 from All-Clad cookware , L'Unico (Caffé Musetti) and The Personal Catering Company.

As a Roux Scholar, André joins other young chefs who are mentored by the Roux family and join a network of other Roux Scholars who meet up regularly. The judging panel includes Michel and Albert Roux, Frances Bissell, Victor Ceserani, Matthew Fort, Gary Rhodes, Rick Stein and Brian Turner. The panel is now augmented by the next generation of the Roux family with Alain Roux, of the Waterside Inn, and Michel Roux Junior, of Le Gavroche, joining their respective fathers.

The Roux Brothers founded the Scholarship 19 years ago. The competition is sponsored by the Savoy Educational Trust and supported by All-Clad, Bragard, British Airways Global Catering, Caterer & Hotelkeeper, Celebrity Cruises, EuropFelix, Global Knives, Champagne Gosset, the HCIMA , L'Unico Caffé Musetti, the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park and the Personal Catering Company.