The 2007 Roux Scholarship is now open to entries and enjoys the benefit of a re-designed website and further commercial support. As 2006 Roux Scholar Pravin Sharma returns from his stage with Olivier Roellinger at Les Maisons de Bricourt commenting “This is the best thing I have done in my whole career”, potential contenders for the 2007 title should be honing their offal skills: the first stage of this year’s competition is to devise a recipe to serve four, using two veal kidneys.
The judging panel is being augmented by chef and food writer Charles Campion, who joins as guest judge. Heston Blumenthal, who judged for the first time in the 2006 competition and gave Sharma a month’s stage at the Fat Duck, will stay on the panel, joining Michel and Albert, their respective sons Alain and Michel junior, Brian Turner, Gary Rhodes, David Nicholls and Andrew Fairlie, the original Roux Scholar.
Joining the list of supporting companies are All-Clad, Fruisana Fruit Sugar and Seafood Holdings.
“We are pleased to welcome further supporting companies, as the Scholarship is non profit-making and the funds are needed to continue the Scholarship as well as provide the benefits of our Roux Scholars Club,” says Michel Roux, co-chairman of the judges and founder of the competition some 24 years ago. “This year, for example, we organised an educational visit to Tuscany for all the past Scholars and we were delighted that some came from as far afield as Japan to join us on what was a very memorable trip. Other events have included a weekend in Scotland, courtesy of the Gleneagles Hotel and British Airways Inflight Service and a lunch hosted by Gary Rhodes at one of his restaurants. The Scholars network and assist one another and we are proud that we are still in regular contact with the majority of our past winners. Once a Roux Scholar, you are always a Roux Scholar.” He adds.
As well as the £3,000 cash prize, the 2007 Roux Scholar will enjoy a three month stage at a three Michelin starred establishment courtesy of The Savoy Educational Trust, trips to Italy to visit Caffe Musetti, courtesy of L’Unico and Champagne courtesy of Champagne Gosset, as well as a week in New York with Restaurant Associates, in addition to other prizes. The other five national finalists will each win £750 to be used to further their culinary skills, again courtesy of the Savoy Educational Trust, as well as other prizes from the supporting companies.
In addition to the aforementioned companies, the Scholarship also benefits by continued backing from: British Airways Inflight Service; Caterer & Hotelkeeper; Fairfax Meadow, Global Knives, the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park and Network Magazines
Full entry details plus further details on prizes, past scholars and judges can be found by visiting www.rouxscholarship.co.uk . The entry form can also be downloaded from the site. The closing date for entries is January 15 2007.