After the exciting regional finals in London and Birmingham, the Roux family is delighted to announce the names of the six chefs who will compete for the title of Roux Scholar 2022 on 11th April 2022.
They 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’s Restaurant
Reserve: Luke Ahearne, Corrigan Collection, London
Judging at the University of West 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.”
Judging in at University College Birmingham, Alain Roux said: “When judging today, we are hoping to see that they have really followed their recipe and if the recipe works. I am looking for a chef that can show their skills, one who has got not only a good palate, but has vision as a chef, meaning, they are a team player, is organised, and can cope with pressure. They must know their basics, the classics, and has their own flair and show their personal skills.”
Judging in London, Clare Smyth said: “It was a really tough regional final and there were really great ingredients to cook with. I found that those who got through to the final are all of a similar level of skill and talent and the eventual winner is going to have to put a lot of work in to come through, because it isn’t going to be easy.”
Judging in at University College Birmingham, Simon Hulstone said: “The dessert for me is about doing something as simple as possible but executing it ‘spot on’. With today’s ingredients, I would immediately go with a syrup sponge pudding, confit lemon with a nice nutty syrup sauce.
"I would use all the ingredients, because the cream of tartar and bicarbonate of soda together, is of course, baking powder and with that you can make a nice, steamed pudding.”
Judging in London, Sat Bains said: “It is too close to call and there are some good skills there, but I think the true test is going to be at the final. Out of those chefs we picked, there isn’t one that stands out. There’s everything to play for in the final because it’s a really even playing field.”
Judging in London, Brian Turner CBE said: "I think some of them found it more difficult than they thought they would do, even though they were using beautiful produce, but the six chosen were the right ones to go through.”
The finalists were chosen following two regional finals, which took place on Thursday 24th March 2022 at the University of West London, Ealing, and University College Birmingham.
Judges
In Birmingham: Alain Roux, André Garrett (Roux Scholar 2002), Simon Hulstone (scholar 2003).
In London: Michel Roux Jr, Brian Turner CBE, Rachel Humphrey, Sat Bains (Roux Scholar 1999), Clare Smyth MBE.
The challenge
The challenge was to cook the recipe they submitted with their application which was blind-judged on 1st March by our judging panel. At the regional finals at University College Birmingham and the University of West London, the 18 regional finalists cooked their recipes that 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/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. A sauce had to accompany the dish.
The 2022 mystery box
The brief was to prepare a dessert for four people using the ingredients supplied.
One ingredient could be omitted but at least 50% of the following ingredients had to be used:
4 lemons
200g plain flour
125g unsalted butter
200ml double cream
150g pecan nuts
10g cream of tartar
200ml whole milk
10g bicarbonate of soda
4 medium eggs
200g golden syrup
On taking part in the finals, chef Kieran Bradley said: “I couldn’t believe it when it was announced I had got through to the National Final, like it was the last thing I was expecting. I definitely didn’t produce what I had practiced, but obviously I was really happy with the result.
To win the Roux Scholarship and be part of what the Roux Scholarship is, would just be a fantastic step in my career.”
Fellow finalist Jonnie Ferguson said: “It’s a massive relief to be through to the final again. I put a lot of pressure on myself to get past this stage again and it feels good. I’m 25 now, and it’s the second time I’ve got through to the Final, and something I am quite proud of and am massively excited to be involved again.
It was an amazing experience last time; it’s been something of a goal this year to be in the mix again and hopefully going one stage further this time.”
Ruth Hansom said: “It was a bit of a crazy day, obviously you don’t know what the dessert is going to be, and I went through lots of different ideas given that we didn’t have sugar, but I’m really with what I did and happy to get through. I was a bit nervous before, but I like the butterflies that come with that.
"For the final, I’ll just keep practicing classic things, and preparing for different scenarios.”
Yiannis Mexis said: “I’m really happy about getting through and confident going through to the final and it’s reassuring after the lockdown, when we all started to doubt ourselves and I wondered if I was good enough, it was reassuring to do well.”
Christos Sidiropoulos said: “It was a very tough competition but, if you do a lot of practice beforehand, you can be more sure of yourself and that’s what I did. You never know what the dessert ingredients will be, so that’s surprise, but it was helpful to have competed before to know the environment and the kitchen.”
George Whitelock said: “I wasn’t very happy with what I served, so I thought there was no chance I’d get through. I was running out of time, so I rushed the plating and finishing and I thought they’d find a lot of flaws with it. I’d practiced it so many times and had it perfect in my mind, but it wasn’t exactly that. I’m ecstatic about getting through the final. I need to get my head down and start preparing for that. I’m over the moon.”
Regional Prizes
Each competitor received the following gifts from our sponsors, as well as a commemorative certificate signed by all the judges:
• A set of three Global Knives.
• A cafetière pot with coffee, courtesy of L’Unico Caffé Musetti.
• A TRUEfoods chef stone notebook, a TRUEfoods bag and TRUEfoods tasting spoon.
• A copy of Wellocks 60th anniversary Lancashire Diamond Cookbook with recipes from top chefs.
National final – Monday 11th April 2022.
The six finalists will compete for the title of Roux Scholar 2022 in the final, which takes place at Westminster Kingsway College, London.
This time the recipe details will be a complete surprise; 30 minutes before the start of the competition the finalists will be given the recipe and ingredients for a main dish, either classic or modern and given up to three hours to prepare and present it to the judges.
French three-star Michelin 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.
Award Dinner
The 2022 Roux Scholar will be announced at a prestigious award dinner at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London, the same evening.
The exclusive event will be attended by sponsors, judges and the finalists.
The winner will receive up to £12,000, a three-month stage at a three-star Michelin restaurant anywhere in the world, and a number of superb prizes from our sponsors.
