The exclusive award will enable one lucky 17-20 year-old to study Le Grand Diplôme at Le Cordon Bleu’s International Flagship Institute in London’s Bloomsbury Square for nine months.
With accommodation fees in Central London included in the prize, the total value of the scholarship is over £30,000.
Head of Le Cordon Bleu London, Larry Montack, explained who the scholarship is targeted at: “We are not looking for anyone with previous culinary experience – we are looking for a passionate individual who may not otherwise have the opportunity to study at Le Cordon Bleu. Indeed, the scholarship’s slogan is ‘All you need is passion – we’ll teach you the rest!’”
Last year, the inaugural award was won by 17 year-old Abigail Watson from Kent. An exceptional scholarship was also awarded to 16 year-old Lloyd Pinder, from Willows High School in Cardiff. Both winners will intern with Michelin-starred chef Tom Aikens, and stay in central London accommodation, courtesy of Britannia, as part of the award.
This year, the winner will win a placement with another leading chef, whose identity will be announced shortly.
Pinder, who attended Willows High School in Splott, Cardiff, said studying at Le Cordon Bleu will enable him to run his own business in the hospitality industry one day. He added:
“Winning the Le Cordon Bleu UK Scholarship Award will change my life. I still can’t believe I’ve won: it goes to show that if you have the passion for something and believe in yourself anything can happen.”
Applicants are invited to upload a short video of themselves at www.ukscholarship.cordonbleu.edu, explaining why they should be considered for the prize.
Semi-finalists will then be invited to attend Le Cordon Bleu in London for an interview and practical assessment, before the finalists reconvene at the institute for the last stage of the competition in early 2013.
The winner will be chosen by a panel of Le Cordon Bleu’s world-renowned master chefs, alongside senior members of Le Cordon Bleu’s academic committee.