Chefs invited to enter The Roux Scholarship Competition

Chefs looking to take part in the challenge must be in full-time employment as a chef in Great Britain and be aged 22 or above but younger than 30 on 1 February 2010. They will each be required to submit a recipe to serve four people using five different types of shellfish to make a rice based dish. The regional finalists will be asked to prepare and present their recipes in cook-offs to be held at regional centres in London and Birmingham on 4 March. The final cook-off will take place on 29 March at Westminster Kingsway College. Judges will include Michel and Albert Roux, Brian Turner, Michel Roux Junior, Gary Rhodes and David Nicholls. Guest judge will be James Martin. Michel Roux Junior commented: "This is not just a cooking competition, it really is something more than that, it is becoming part of a family. If you're a Roux Scholar you're almost flesh and blood a Roux." Turner added: "At this stage we are looking for a chef who has a really good understanding of classic cooking skills, yet has the ability to be creative under pressure and bring out the true flavours of the mystery box ingredients." The winner will be awarded a three month stage at a three Michelin starred restaurant anywhere in the world, all expenses paid, along with a cheque for £5,000 and a one to one mentorship with the Roux family for the rest of his/her career. The closing date for entries is 31 January.