Chef Alain Roux, chef patron of The Waterside Inn which has three stars in the Michelin Guide UK, claims the lack of female chefs in the industry is the reason behind more men applying for the prestigious Roux Scholarship 2017.

Responding to a tweet earlier this week, questioning a picture he had posted of the Roux Scholarship finalists’ trip which featured an all male lineup, Alain Roux tweeted: “Very few [female] chefs seem to apply for the Roux Scholarship. Until they do it will be an all-male domain. Very disappointed.”

The tweet came after fellow Twitter user, Susi Hester asked: “Honestly curious, why do you think only men are there?” Susi was referring to a previous tweet from Alain which was celebrating the e-book of the Roux Scholarship finalists’ trip to California 2016 which was accompanied by an all-male picture of the finalists and attendees.

Sadly Susi very few chefs seem to apply for @RouxScholarship Until they do it will be an all male domaine. Very disappointed. https://t.co/yB5EYWM69J

— Alain Roux (@ChefAlainRoux) 27 February 2017

Speaking to The Staff Canteen, Alain said: “Unfortunately there are statistically less women in the industry and as a result there has always been a much lower number of female applicants than male. With less than 10% of the total number applying on average it follows that there are fewer women who get through to compete.”

Sabrina Gidda, who has competed in two Roux Scholarships and is now head chef at Bernardi’s, has previously spoken about the issue. Speaking in 2016 Sabrina commented that it was ‘a bit worrying’ that she was the only woman out of 120 chefs to be in the previous year’s competition.

Asked why she