The Roux Family is delighted to announce that acclaimed Basque chef Elena Arzak will lead the panel of judges for the Roux Scholarship final 2025 as Honorary President of Judges.
Elena Arzak is the fourth generation of her family to run the kitchen at the three-star Michelin Restaurante Arzak in San Sebastián, Spain, where she was schooled in the tenets of The New Basque Cuisine Movement, championed by her legendary father Chef Juan Mari Arzak.
With additional wide-ranging experience from working in restaurants across Europe, she will bring her stellar experience to the competition’s judging panel.
She said: “As a chef and someone deeply passionate about culinary excellence, being asked to head the jury of the Roux Scholarship is both an honour and a responsibility. The Roux Scholarship stands as one of the highest accolades in culinary training, nurturing and celebrating emerging talent in our field. Leading this panel, along with Emily Roux, Clare Smyth, Angela Hartnett and Rachel Humphrey, is a chance to inspire and mentor the next generation of chefs, helping them push boundaries while honouring the Roux family’s legacy of precision, creativity and dedication to the craft.”
Chairman Michel Roux said: “Elena Arzak is one of the most accomplished chefs in the world and carries on the family tradition of championing Basque cuisine in her own innovative style. The fact that she spent several months as a young chef at Le Gavroche on a stage makes this even more special and poignant. I can’t wait to catch up and welcome her to The Roux Scholarship judging panel.”
Chairman Alain Roux said: “We're very excited to welcome Chef Elena as our Honorary President of the Judges this year, it's a great privilege. Like the Roux family, Chef Elena has cooking in her genes. Training and working as a chef in some of the greatest kitchens in Europe, before taking over Restaurant Arzak from her father, Chef Elena has an incredible palate and is a towering example to all upcoming young chefs. A great champion for women in our industry and constantly innovating, pushing the boundaries of her beloved contemporary Basque cuisine, Chef Elena is an icon and source of inspiration to us all.”
Judge Emily Roux said: “I am very excited to be able to judge alongside Chef Elena this year, she is one of the eight female chefs in the world who hold three Michelin stars. I am extremely lucky to have had dinner at her restaurant in San Sebastián and what an incredible experience it was. Utter perfection from start to finish!"
The deadline for applications is January 20, 2025.
(Picture: Sara Santos)
