Roux Scholarship

Star prize

The winner of The Roux Scholarship 2024 will have the choice between two star prizes

Option one: The stage
The winner receives an invitation to cook and train under the supervision of a leading chef at a prestigious three-star Michelin restaurant anywhere in the world (Britain included!) for up to two months. Expenses such as flights and accommodation are all covered. Previous scholars have used this opportunity learn from some of the world’s best chefs, to learn new skills and about new ingredients and to enjoy the short-term experience of living in a different city or country.

Option two: Bespoke Roux Scholarship programme
A programme of training opportunities tailored to the individual winner’s career goals and gaps in their skill set. The winner will work with the Roux Family and Roux Scholarship team to choose a number of short educational experiences, visits and stays in the UK and abroad to help their individual career development. For example, if the winner wants to perfect their chocolate-making skills, we can help arrange a course with Valrhona in France; maybe they would like to learn Japanese knife skills, then we send them to Japan for a week; perhaps they would like to learn a language to facilitate a career move abroad; or perhaps they want to learn more about the business side of running a restaurant. These learning opportunities can be taken at convenient times in the chef’s work schedule over the course of the year after winning the competition.

cash prize

The winner will receive £6,000 to spend on career development and educational opportunities. This could include meals at restaurants they’ve always been inspired by, it could be short training courses or it could be a trip to a region abroad that has a fascinating food culture and interesting producers.

The five other national finalists each receive £1,000 intended for similar experiences.

Mentorship award*

An additional £6,000 will be awarded to the winner on completion of 15 months’ service with their employer following their win. The aim is to encourage the scholar to share with their brigade the new experiences, ideas and skills learned during their three-month stage in a three-Michelin star restaurant. Should they wish to leave their job within 15 months of winning, the £6,000 will be awarded to their employer to support the brigade’s development in other ways.

Example Sponsors' Prizes (from 2023)

A signed, framed commemorative certificate, signed by the judges.
A visit with Aubrey Allen to Ireland to see first-hand the lush green pastures our Irish beef is raised on and how it is processed.
Two personalised Roux Scholarship chef’s jackets, courtesy of Bragard UK Ltd to wear during the competition and awards. The winner also receives the choice of the Grand Chef or Grand Chef female version; or the Bellagio or Bellagia jackets (more information here). In addition, the winner is invited to London for a personal shopping consultation at the Bragard London showroom where they will be fitted with a new Bragard uniform. After the fitting, the winner will enjoy a luxurious afternoon tea for two at the iconic Ritz Hotel ending with a private kitchen tour hosted by Bragard wearer and Roux Scholar, Chef Spencer Metzger.*
A trip to Paris, courtesy of Bridor, to attend a 3-day advanced course at the Lenôtre school, including travel and accommodation.
A year’s subscription to print and digital editions of The Caterer for one year. Plus two tickets to The Caterer’s annual awards, the Cateys, known as the hospitality industry’s Oscars, it is an exclusive, black tie event.
A guided meet and greet tour of Flying Fish in Cornwall, with a trip out on a RIB in St Austell Bay to the Deep Sea Mussel Farm. Plus dinner for two at Paul Ainsworth’s, No. 6 Padstow.
Nine Global Classic knives set: The nine-piece Limited Edition GCH-58/11LSP Chef’s Set (in addition to their regional finalist prize).
Complimentary membership of the Institute of Hospitality for one year.
An exclusive Magnum of Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Brut, signed by the judges at the final cook-off.
An all expenses paid trip for two to visit the wine cellars of Laurent-Perrier at Tours-sur-Marne, including a guided tour of the cellars and a tasting of the Laurent-Perrier range. Travel by Eurostar and overnight accommodation with dinner, bed and breakfast.
An escorted tour with Regent Seven Seas Cruises aboard one of their most luxurious ships while in port in Southampton, to see how they deliver an unrivalled, exquisite dining experience to over 700 guests – while at sea
A two-day culinary trip to Cornwall courtesy of St Ewe Free Range Eggs: on day one, the winner will have a guided tour of St. Ewe Packing Centre and Ventonwyn farm, followed by an overnight stay at the St Enodoc Hotel in Rock with tasting menu for 2 at Karrek. On day two, they will have a guided supplier tour of Phillip Warrens’ award-winning butchery and St Enodoc’s home farm, Made-Well in Hatherleigh.
A day at TRUEfoods seeing how their superior stocks and sauces are created and learning about their acclaimed CHEFStable experience. In addition, the opportunity to eat in four of Roux Scholars’ restaurants or the Roux Scholarship judges’ restaurants in the UK.
A day of fishing off the east coast of Scotland with one night’s accommodation including dinner, bed & breakfast, courtesy of Udale Speciality Foods Ltd.
A coffee machine for the home, courtesy of L’Unico Caffé Musetti.
A truffle-focussed trip to Urbani Truffles‘ HQ in Italy, with accommodation (but not flights) included to learn about truffle hunting, their production and history; as well as 170th anniversary box of limited edition truffles
An all-expenses trip to Italy visiting our partner Zanetti, for a Parmesan tasting and to explore local culture, with a very special dinner, courtesy of Wellocks.

Sponsors' prizes confirmed for 2024

A year’s subscription to print and digital editions of The Caterer for one year. Plus two tickets to The Caterer’s annual awards, the Cateys, known as the hospitality industry’s Oscars, it is an exclusive, black tie event.
Courtesy of Global Knives, a selection of 10 Global Ni Knives with Leather Knife Case.
Complimentary membership of the Institute of Hospitality for one year.
An exclusive Magnum of Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Brut, signed by the judges at the final cook-off.
An all expenses paid trip for two to visit the wine cellars of Laurent-Perrier at Tours-sur-Marne, including a guided tour of the cellars and a tasting of the Laurent-Perrier range. Travel by Eurostar and overnight accommodation with dinner, bed and breakfast.
Spend the day with Showerings Cider learning the tips and tricks and of making engaging social media video content with Showering Cider and a film crew, making cooking and food clips and gaining valuable media experience.
A two-day culinary trip to Cornwall courtesy of St Ewe Free Range Eggs: on day one, the winner will have a guided tour of St. Ewe Packing Centre and Ventonwyn farm, followed by an overnight stay at the St Enodoc Hotel in Rock with tasting menu for 2 at Karrek. On day two, they will have a guided supplier tour of Phillip Warrens’ award-winning butchery and St Enodoc’s home farm, Made-Well in Hatherleigh.
A bottle of The Macallan Sherry Oak 18 Year Old whisky plus an educational trip to The Macallan Distillery and a bottle of The Macallan Double Cask 12 Year Old, with the five other national finalists.
A day of fishing off the east coast of Scotland with one night’s accommodation including dinner, bed & breakfast, courtesy of Udale Speciality Foods Ltd.
A culinary experience visiting the finest producers with dinner at a three-star Michelin star restaurant (accommodation and travel covered if required) courtesy of Wellocks.

National finalists' prizes

For the six national finalists:

£1,000 towards furthering their career development.
A framed commemorative certificate, signed by the judges.
A Heritage Breeds Beef Box and British Cheese Board by Aubrey Allen.
A copy of Bridor’s recipe book Meilleurs Recettes des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France (volume three).
A set of six Global Deluxe Knives (GCH-47/6) including luxury leather case.
A bottle of Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Brut.
A month’s supply (5 cartons) of Rich Yolk eggs, a St. Ewe Sharpie and Oliver Harvey apron courtesy of St Ewe Free Range Eggs.
A digital subscription to The Caterer for one year.
Gift box of truffles and truffle products from Urbani Truffles.
Educational field trip with lunch at a Michelin star establishment (transport there not included) courtesy of Wellocks.

Regional finalists' prizes

Each of the 18 regional finalists will receive:

A commemorative certificate, signed by the judges.
A cutting lyre for soft cheese courtesy of Elle & Vire Professionnel.
A G-106 Kiritsuke Knife courtesy of Global Knives, as well as a MS-472 whetstone.
A Moka pot and coffee from L’Unico (Caffé Musetti).
A TRUEfoods chef stone notebook.
A copy of Wellocks’ cookbook with recipes from top chefs.

The Winner’s Establishment will receive:

Ten kilos of award-winning coffee from L’Unico (Caffé Musetti) TBC
A sirloin of aged beef from Udale Speciality Foods, Himalayan Salt Chamber. TBC

*Terms and conditions

The Mentorship Award
The Mentorship Award is provided at the complete discretion of the Board of Directors and will typically be granted automatically at the end of the 15 month period. However the Award will be reviewed if:
1. The conduct of the Roux Scholarship winner during the 15 month period from the date of the final could damage the reputation of the Competition or the Employer.
2. The employment did not extend for the full 15 months but this was not the fault or responsibility of the Roux Scholarship winner.
3. The nature of the employment did not allow the Roux Scholarship winner to mentor the same single team for the entire duration of the 15 month period.

Bragard prize
Time to be mutually suited to both winner, The Ritz and Bragard UK.
Formal dress code at the Ritz, with gentlemen required to wear a jacket and tie.
Prize to be taken by the 31st March 2024.
Prize can only be taken with the named winner and cannot be swapped for a monetary equivalent.