Roux Scholarship regional and national finals further postponed
The Roux family has decided to further postpone the 2020 Roux Scholarship regional and national finals.
Dates that were originally postponed to March 2021 are now cancelled and new dates have not yet been set, due to the Covid-19 pandemic and social distancing regulations.
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 this year's 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."
The 18 regional finalists, as well as the first reserve, selected at the paper judging stage in March 2020 will automatically qualify as regional finalists and 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.
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-Michelin-starred Restaurant Frantzén in Stockholm, will lead the panel of judges. There will be no application process in 2021.