9th January 2009

2009 Roux Scholarship Closing Date Soon

Chefs who want to take part in the 2009 Roux Scholarship need to start honing their lamb recipes as the closing date is Friday 23 January.

Entrants are required to submit a lamb recipe (see below) for the first stage of the competition.

In this 26th year of the competition, the winner benefits not only from the main part of the prize – a stage of up to three months at a three Michelin-starred restaurant in Europe – but also takes home a cash prize of £5000 and a host of other prizes from many of the companies that support the competition. Moreover, once a Roux Scholar, you are always a Scholar and the winner joins an elite club of chefs who network and support one another and are mentored by the Roux family.

The judging panel comprises the Roux brothers and their sons, as well as Heston Blumenthal; Andrew Fairlie (the original Roux Scholar); David Nicholls; Gary Rhodes and Brian Turner. They are joined by 2009 guest judge Richard Vines from Bloomberg.

To enter, entrants must submit a recipe, to serve four people, using two best ends of lamb (leaving bone in) accompanied by two garnishes, one of which must be potato, and the other using one green vegetable. The dish should also be accompanied by a light jus or a salsa. Costings for the dish are also required.

As well as the £5000 cash prize (which is given by the Savoy Educational Trust and is to be used to further culinary studies), the 2009 Roux Scholar will enjoy a three month stage at a three Michelin starred establishment, 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 £1000 to be used to further their culinary skills, again courtesy of the Savoy Educational Trust, as well as other prizes from the supporting companies.

Full entry details plus footage of previous competitions, further details on prizes, past scholars and judges can be found by visiting the Roux Scholarship website . The entry form can also be downloaded from the site. Remember: the closing date for entries is Friday 23 January.