Six national finalists announced for Roux Scholarship 2022
The six national finalists for the 2022 Roux Scholarship have been revealed.
They were chosen following two regional finals on 24 March at the University of West London, Ealing and University College Birmingham.
The finalists are:
Kieran Bradley, the Vineyard Hotel, Stockcross, Newbury
Jonnie Ferguson, the Glenturret Lalique Restaurant, Crieff, Scotland
Ruth Hansom, the Princess of Shoreditch, London
Yiannis Mexis, Hide, London
Christos Sidiropoulos, Flemings Mayfair, London
George Whitelock, Angler Restaurant
Reserve: Luke Ahearne, Corrigan Collection, London
Michel Roux Jr said: "It's always a pleasure to see what the next generation of chefs can cook up for us. We had a great day tasting perfectly cooked sole and imaginative pasta as the garnishes."
At the regional final 18 competitors had to cook the recipes they submitted with their application, which was blind-judged.
This included two fresh Dover soles weighing anywhere between 600g-700g (maximum 800g) cooked and served either whole, or in fillets, and 300g whole brown shrimps with shells on; together plated with two ‘simple' or ‘composed' garnishes or accompaniments.
One of them had to include homemade pasta made on the day of the competition. The other had to be a garnish/accompaniment of their choice. One of these could be served separately if preferred, and a sauce had to accompany the dish.
The chefs also had to prepare a dessert for four people using a mystery box of ingredients, including lemons, golden syrup, and pecan nuts.
When is the national final of the Roux Scholarship 2022?
The six winning chefs will compete in the national final on 11 April at Westminster Kingsway College in London.
They will only be given the recipe and ingredients for a main dish 30 minutes before the start of the competition and will have three hours to prepare and present it to the judges.
Chef Hélène Darroze will lead the panel of judges as honorary president, alongside joint chairmen Alain Roux and Michel Roux Jr. They will be joined by vice-chairman Brian Turner, James Martin, Clare Smyth CBE, André Garrett, Sat Bains and Simon Hulstone.
The 2022 Roux Scholar will be announced at an awards dinner at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in London that same evening. The winner will receive up to £12,000, a three-month stage at a three-Michelin-starred restaurant anywhere in the world, and prizes from sponsors.
Main Image: The Birmingham finalists
