Roux Scholarship names 18 regional finalists
The chefs were selected based on their paper application and written recipe, which are judged blindly.
They will go on to compete in two finals held simultaneously on 8 March at University College Birmingham and the University of West London, Ealing.
This year 13 of the 18 finalists are from restaurants outside London, with entrants from Michelin-star kitchens, hotel restaurants and Miele’s test kitchen.
Judges include James Martin, Clare Smyth, and Alain and Michel Roux Jr.
“It’s interesting that when you’re judging it blind the marks for our top seven entrants are consistently good,” says Martin.
“When the names and where they work is revealed afterwards, you see what a cross-section you have."
Though the judges praised the high quality of entries, Michel Roux Jr warned future applicants needed to better consider the costings of their dishes.
“Some of the recipes were absolutely amazing but unfortunately some of the costings were really not up to scratch,” says Roux.
“Young chefs have to understand that the costings are very important and business acumen is something that chefs have to learn.”
Many of the judges also expressed concern for the amount of waste produce resulting from the recipes.
The Roux family founded the scholarship in 1984 and continue to oversee the competition.
Previous winners include Sat Bains (1999), Andre Garrett (2002) and Simon Hulstone (2003).
The Birmingham regional finalists:
Aaron Lawrence, Gilpin Lodge, Cumbria
Ryan Porter, Northcote, Lancashire
Samuel Nash, L’Enclume, Cumbria
Daniel Parker, House of Tides, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Kelvin Tan, Restaurant Sat Bains, Nottingham
Ricki Weston, Restaurant Sat Bains, Nottingham
The London regional finalists:
Greg Anderson, Morston Hall, Norfolk
Sven-Hanson Britt, Miele GB, Oxfordshire
Martin Carabott, 85 Piccadilly, London
Ben Champkin, L’Enclume, Cumbria
Michael Cruickshank, Bohemia, Jersey
Richard Giles, Sorrel, Surrey
Kamil Jedrzejewski, Hilton, York
Daniel Lines, Restaurant Associates, KPMG, London
Oliver Marlow, Roganic, London
Karl O’Dell, Petrus, London
Drew Snaith, Mare Street Market, London
Fergus Wilford, Cliveden House, Berkshire
