The finalists were chosen following two regional finals which took place on Thursday 17th March 2016 at the University of West London and University College Birmingham.
Michel Roux Jr said: “We have two very strong finalists going through from Birmingham this year. A dessert can make or break a dish. We had two excellent desserts - well executed, beautiful custards and moist cake."
The finalists are:
- Martin Carabott, The Royal Automobile Club, Pall Mall, London
- Ben Champkin, L'Enclume, Cartmel, Cumbria
- Scott Dineen, Goldman Sachs, (BaxterStorey), London
- Harry Guy, Eden Hotel Collection, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire
- Paul Matthews, Fieldfisher, (Vacherin), London
- Tim Peirson, Kensington Place, Kensington Church St, London
This year the challenge was to create a recipe to serve four people using, one whole fresh Pollock gutted, weighing anywhere between 1.5 –1.75kg (maximum 2kg) and 600g live whole cockles; together served plated and accompanied by a sauce and two garnishes. One garnish to include button mushrooms and the other a garnish of their choice.
Contestants had 21⁄2 hrs to cook their dish as originally submitted along with a dessert from a list of mystery ingredients given to them on the day.
Alain Roux said: “I could tell the chefs in London had worked really hard and practiced and it showed in the quality of the main courses we tasted. There were a wide variety of different techniques used, one or two a bit too complex and I would have liked the mushroom element to stand out more in the flavour of the dishes.”
“After comparing notes with my cousin I think we’ve chosen six great contenders for an exciting final!”
The six finalists will compete for the title of Roux Scholar 2016 in the national final, which takes place at Westminster Kingsway College, London. This time the recipe details are 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 three hours to prepare and present it to the judges.
The 2016 Roux Scholar will be announced the same evening at an award ceremony, held at The Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park, London.