At the event there will also be panel discussion on ‘Asian Restaurants: Securing skills for success,’ involving Asma Khan from the Netflix series Chef’s Table, John Guthrie policy advisor of UK Hospitality and Donald Sloan of the Oxford Cultural Collective.
The scholarship represents Hom’s commitment to higher education and his belief that students should have a ‘voice’ in the hospitality industry. The scholarship is open to students from European countries that are taking higher education courses linked to food or hospitality.
Lee Kum Kee, Chinese condiment and sauces producer, will host the four winning students on a cultural and business focussed trip to an Asian city. The students will receive a behind the scenes access to Chinese hospitality and each student will receive £500.
Hom said: “I continue to see myself, first and foremost, as a teacher. This new initiative enables me to support the next generation of food, drink and hospitality professionals.
“I want to encourage them to adopt a truly international perspective, to be open to new ways of viewing the world and, of course, to engage with Asian nations.”
Lee Kum Kee supports the scholarship and is devoted to building talent within Chinese foodservice in the EU. With over 131 years of history Lee Kum Kee is a ‘popular choice’ for Mitchelin-starred Chinese chefs.
Maria Chong, managing director at lee Kum Kee Europe, added: “We are passionate advocates of inspiring talent in the industry and equipping chefs with the skills and product needed for success, so there is some great synergy working with Oxford Cultural Collective and Ken Hom on this initiative.”