National finalists selected for Roux Scholarship

Two past finalists have won through – Christopher Golding of Nahm and Matthew Wilkinson of Martha & Vincent in Iikley. The lucky finalists will be joined at Westminster Kingsway College on 31 March by Daniel Cox from the fine dining division of Compass Group, Adam Peirson of Claridge's, Ryan Simpson of Winteringham Fields and Kevin Tew from Galvin at Windows. The regional finals took place at University College Birmingham and Thames Valley University. Each of the finalists prepared their recipes for lemon sole. They were also asked to produce a dessert from a box of ingredients given to them on the day including coconut, gelatine, eggs, dark chocolate, double cream, sugar and fresh raspberries. Commenting on the cook off Alain Roux said: "We both felt that the presentation this year was well above average. The competitors have, of course, had plenty of time to practice their lemon sole recipe and perfect it. But when we saw the standard of desserts produced – with minimal time for planning and in the tense atmosphere of the regional finals – we were most impressed." This year's guest judge Tracey MacLeod, commented: "All the dishes we tasted were worthy of first class restaurants…the competitors we sent through to the finals were those who struck the best balance between the flavours delivered and the visual presentation." The winner will be awarded a three month stage at a three-Michelin establishment, £5,000 cash, courtesy of the Savoy Educational Trust, and a week's paid work-experience in New York, courtesy of Restaurant Associates. The Scholar will also become a member of the Roux Scholars Club. Roux Scholarship is supported by British Airways, Direct Seafoods, Fruisana Fruit Sugar, and Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park. Weblink: www.rouxscholarship.co.uk Weblink: www.rouxscholarship.co.uk