2020 Competition postponed due to pandemic
After the 2020 Roux Scholarship was put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Roux Family have decided to further postpone the competition.
The 18 regional finalists (including Olivia Burt, pictured in the 2019 competition), as well as the first reserve, selected at the paper judging stage in March 2020 have automatically qualified as regional finalists for 2021 and will cook their recipes for hake, palourde clams and leeks in the regional cook-offs at University College Birmingham and at the University of West London when the new dates are set. The judges will be Michel Roux Jr, Alain Roux, Brian Turner, Clare Smyth, Angela Hartnett, Rachel Humphrey, James Martin, Sat Bains (1999 Scholar), André Garrett (2002 Scholar) and Simon Hulstone (2003 Scholar). The six most successful chefs will be selected to compete in the national final, when Honorary President of Judges Björn Frantzén, from three-star Michelin Restaurant Frantzén in Stockholm, will lead the panel of judges. There will be no application process in 2021.
Chairman Alain Roux said: “The health and welfare of our fantastic participants, as well as all stakeholders and guests, remains our highest priority. With no end to the current limitations in sight and in view of the ongoing uncertainty, postponement is the only safe option. We appreciate everyone’s brilliant support as we work through this. We cannot wait to find our 2020/21 scholar.”
Co-chairman Michel Roux Jr said: “We are disappointed at having to delay, yet again, the finale of the 2020 competition but we are all facing unprecedented challenges. New dates for the regional finals and national final will be communicated in due course. We remain committed to maintaining the high quality and experience of the semi-finals, national final and award ceremony. Our determination to see this competition through remains undimmed.”
Pictured: Ben Champkin’s entry from the 2018 competition photographed by Jodi Hinds. Ben is one of the 19 regional finalists for 2020/21.
