WHO WILL BE THE NEXT ROUX SCHOLAR?

Some interesting facts about the six finalists:

• Two Englishmen (Kevin Tew & Mark Birchall), an Englishwoman (Gemma Almond) an Irishman (Kenneth Culhane), a Scotsman (Kevin Sutherland) and a Welshman (Stephen Stevens) will battle it out to be crowned Roux Scholar 2010.
• Gemma Almond at 23 is the youngest competitor. A former waitress and with only a few months professional experience she is especially delighted to get to the final. This is also her very first competition which she entered along with her head chef, who was also in the regional finals.“It’s amazing I can’t believe I’m in the final. I only started working in a professional kitchen in October last year, before that I was a waitress, this is my first competition, and it’s been a whirlwind.”
• Kevin Tew, a finalist in 2008, from Corrigan’s was previously at Galvin at Windows with Andre Garrett, Roux Scholar 2002 and also with Andrew Jones, Roux Scholar 2004. He puts his success this year down to developing a more simple approach to his food, with greater focus on flavour than ‘cheffy’ touches. “This is a big achievement. Little things went wrong but overall I had a good day, it hasn’t really sunk in yet that I’m thorough to the final again.”
• Stephen Stevens, has made it through to the regional or national finals every year since 2006, this time he is determined to make it fifth time lucky! Stephen has worked for some of the top names in the industry. "I am overwhelmed and happy that I pleased the judges enough to get through to the final. I am apprehensive as I have been in the final before but at the same time I am really looking forward to it and hope this time to be lucky”.
• Mark Birchall, has been a regional finalist for the last two years and put his experience to good use. He worked hard to perfect his recipe of crab and shrimp risotto in Kholrabi which got him into the final six. “It’s an amazing feeling. I am shocked but I did a lot of work to get here, spent a lot of time getting the balance right. But luck was on my side and now I am in it to win.”
• Kevin Sutherland, a finalist last year, nick named ‘Big Flavour’ in his kitchen at Level 31 Barclays, is determined to be well prepared for the final challenge as this is his last year to be eligible to enter the competition.“It’s phenomenal to get to the final again, I’m stoked that Kenneth got through too, if I don’t win I hope he does.”
• Kenneth Culhane also from BaxterStorey at Level 31 Barclays , trained under James Carberry, Roux Scholar 1992, at Dublin Institute of Technology. “It’s amazing, its my third year in the regional’s and first time to the final, I stuck to a more classic dish and it worked for me. We’ve got a talented team at BaxterStorey, I’m proud that two of us got through."

A word from the judges......

Michel Roux Snr
“I’m delighted that we have such a great spread of experience and backgrounds in the final, so many nationalities, some that have been cooking for years and others that are starting out.”

Andrew Fairlie
“What on paper looked a simple task required a real understanding and respect of the delicate seafood ingredients, some got it and some didn’t, timing is everything.”

David Nicholls
“We saw huge diversity in approach to the recipes today from classic French to modern Asian, which makes the judging even harder.”

Prizes

It was a tough day for all the contestants and there were some great recipes created. Although there could only be six finalists, no one went home empty handed, each contestant received gifts from our sponsors, L’Unico Caffé Musetti and Global Knives plus a commemorative certificate signed by all the judges.