As the Roux Family launch the Roux Scholarship 2020, they are delighted to announce that Sweden’s first three-star Michelin chef Björn Frantzén joins the competition as Honorary President of Judges.
Chef Frantzén has held three Michelin stars since 2018 and will be hosting last Roux Scholarship 2019 winner Spencer Metzger for his three-month stage from January. Frantzén, one of Europe’s best restaurants, was the the first Swedish restaurant to be awarded three stars by the Michelin Guide. Located in the Norrmalm district, Frantzén hosts an intimate crowd of just 23 guests each night.
Chef Frantzén said: “It´s a great honour to be asked to join as Honorary President for 2020. Having spent more than six years in the UK during my early career, the Roux Family has also been important for my own cooking. I still remember going past the legendary Le Gavroche every morning to work and dreaming of one day running my own Michelin establishment. So, it´s with great pleasure I’m joining the legendary Roux Family for such an important cause in inspiring and making sure our industry is taking care of young talents; without them, our loved industry is nothing.”
Chef Frantzén is the fifth Honorary President of Judges to play a part in the Roux Scholarship. He follows such revered chefs as Pierre Gagnaire, Anne-Sophie Pic, Michel Guérard and Peter Gilmore in the role.
Chairman Alain Roux said: “It’s a privilege to welcome Björn Frantzen as our Honorary President. He is a modern icon, an astonishing chef, and easily one of the most exciting and creative chefs working in Europe today. Björn’s breathtaking cuisine combines flawless Japanese techniques and flavours with the most sublime Nordic ingredients to create dishes of exceptional beauty and taste. Björn shares our passion for inspiring young chefs and we cannot wait for him to join us in this year’s competition.“
While fellow Chairman Michel Roux Jr said: “I’m so pleased that Björn has accepted to be our Honorary President of Judges for 2020. He is one of the most talented chefs I know and is an inspiration to all in our industry. We’re delighted Spencer will be conducting his stage at Frantzén; and now that Björn is joining us to judge the competition, our 2020 finalists will have the chance to cook for him as well.”
Competition dates
Recipe ingredients announced and entries open - 12th November 2019
Closing date for applications – 31st January 2020
Regional Finals at University College Birmingham and University of West London - 19th March 2020
National Final at Westminster Kingsway College, and Awards Ceremony at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park – 6th April 2020.
New sponsor
The Roux family is proud to announce that Regent Seven Seas Cruises, the world’s leading ultra-luxury ocean cruise line, will be The Roux Scholarship’s exclusive cruise line sponsor starting with the 2020 competition. Our partnership underlines our mutual commitment not only to culinary excellence and outstanding service but to our shared passion to promote and inspire generations of upcoming chefs. We greatly value Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ support as we look forward to a rewarding and exciting partnership. Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ modern four-ship fleet sails to more than 450 iconic and immersive destinations around the world, in all-suite accommodations, with every luxury included from exquisite dining experiences to fine wines and spirits, unlimited shore excursions and more. Read about their fleet of luxury cruise ships at www.rssc.com.
Judges: Alongside Chef Frantzén, some of the country’s best chefs are returning as judges: joining chairmen Alain Roux and Michel Roux Jr are Clare Smyth, Sat Bains, James Martin, Simon Hulstone, André Garrett, Rachel Humphrey, Brian Turner and Angela Hartnett.
Photos:
A selection of photos of Chef Frantzén, Restaurant Frantzén, the judges, previous finalists and last year’s winner Spencer Metzger winning the competition in April 2019 can be downloaded from this link: www.dropbox.com/sh/5djj9mv87291u1m/AADTPmVsgAFasJBk99d9eWJaa?dl=0
Interview opportunities: If you would like to interview any of the judges or scholars in relation to the Roux Scholarship by phone or in person, please contact Carolyn Boyd, PR & Communications manager at [email protected]
About the Roux Scholarship:
In 1984, Michel Roux founded the Roux Scholarship with his brother Albert to enable a new generation of chefs from Britain to train in the greatest restaurants in the world. Not only has it become the industry’s most acclaimed chef competition in the UK with many scholars having gone on to win Michelin stars themselves, it ranks among the most prestigious competitions for chefs in the world. Since it was established more than 30 years ago, it has helped British chefs gain the international recognition they deserve. With many young chefs entering the competition each year, thousands have been inspired, and lives changed, by the experience of competing.
Prizes
The winner receives £6,000, to support their career development and an invitation to cook and train under the supervision of a leading chef at a prestigious three-star Michelin restaurant anywhere in the world for up to three months. This is in addition to a host of fabulous prizes from our sponsors.
Our sponsors
The Roux Scholarship is supported by a number of companies including sponsors: Aubrey Allen Ltd, Bridor UK & Ireland, Cactus TV, The Caterer, Direct Seafoods, I Grunwerg Ltd “Global Knives”, Hildon Ltd, Restaurants Associates & Levy Leisure Group, Champagne Laurent-Perrier (UK) Ltd, L’Unico Caffe Musetti, Mandarin Oriental, Mash Purveyors Ltd, Oritain UK, Regent Seven Seas, TRUEfoods Ltd, and Udale Speciality Foods Ltd.
About Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ modern four-ship fleet - Seven Seas Explorer, Seven Seas Mariner, Seven Seas Navigator and Seven Seas Voyager - sails to more than 450 iconic and immersive destinations around the world and reflects $150 million in stunning refurbishments over the past three years. Regent will add Seven Seas Splendor™ in 2020 as the fleet’s fifth ship and then grow by a sixth ship in 2023. Every luxury is included in Regent voyages, such as all-suite accommodations, flights, the largest collection of unlimited shore excursions, entertainment, unlimited internet access, highly personalised service, exquisite cuisine, fine wines and spirits, gratuities, ground transfers and one-night, pre-cruise hotel packages for guests staying in Concierge-level suites and higher. For more information please visit www.RSSC.com, call 02380 682 280 or contact a professional travel advisor.
Go to www.rouxscholarship.co.uk for more information about the Roux Scholarship competition and details of the long list of prizes, courtesy of our sponsors and preferred partners.
