The Roux Scholarship with support from the IoH has published a white paper promoting diversity

Following a Round Table discussion held last month, with some of Britain’s top female chefs and leaders in the hospitality industry, The Roux Scholarship with the support of the Institute of Hospitality, has produced a White Paper detailing the key points of the discussion, recommendations for the wider hospitality industry and its efforts to engage more female chefs in the competition. 

The aim of the round table was to share knowledge, experiences and ideas for encouraging more entries from more female chefs and to achieve more diversity among finalists for the 2023 competition, which has launched earlier month.

As the most prestigious competition for young chefs, The Roux Scholarship is committed to encouraging chefs from all backgrounds and demographics to enter. The first round of judging is done entirely anonymously, so each applicant has an equal chance of qualifying for the regional finals, as they are judged on the quality of the recipe alone. However, throughout its history, The Roux Scholarship has only ever had one female winner, Mercy Fenton in 1994, and fewer female regional and national finalists than male.

Co-Chairman of the Roux Scholarship Michel Roux told us “I dream of the day we have more diversity – six female chefs and all from different backgrounds.” With Emily Roux, owner of Caractère adding “It’s not just about winning, it is a journey: you meet other chefs of different backgrounds, you learn as you go.”

Chef and culinary consultant Sabrina Gidda explained “We need a community of mentors to encourage chefs they know to enter the competition. And for the wider culinary community to get excited about the brief, the competition and the special journey being involved in the Roux Scholarship.” Whilst Sally Abé shared: “We should encourage people to compete; that would be empowering and give them confidence. We can draw people in and tell them: we will help you do this.”

Participants at the round table were:

Sally Abé: Consultant chef at London’s Conrad St James
Peter Avis FIH: General Manager at Galvin at Windows, Vice-Chair of the IOH
Sabrina Gidda: Chef and culinary consultant
David Glaser: A director of The Waterside Inn and the Roux Scholarship
Rachel Humphrey: Executive Head Chef of Le Gavroche and Roux Scholarship judge
Alisha Pereira: Head Banqueting Chef at the Hilton Banksidet Hotel
Miranda Quantrill: Curriculum Manager for Hospitality Westminster Kingsway College
Emily Roux:  Owner of Caractère
Michel Roux Jr: Co-chairman of the Roux Scholarship, Chef Patron of Le Gavroche

DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY OF THE ROUX WHITE-PAPER HERE