Thomas Keller named honorary president of judges for 40th Roux Scholarship

Chef Thomas Keller has been named as honorary president of judges for the 40th Roux Scholarship National Final on 8 April 2024.

Keller is known for his refined yet simple interpretations of classical French cuisine at his restaurants the French Laundry (pictured) in Yountville, California, and Per Se in New York.

He was the first American male chef to be awarded a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honour and led the US team to its first gold medal at the Bocuse d’Or.

For the final round of the Roux Scholarship, Keller will be joined by chairman Alain Roux, Michel Roux Jr, vice-chairman Brian Turner, Clare Smyth, Angela Hartnett, Rachel Humphrey, James Martin, Emily Roux, and Roux scholars Sat Bains, André Garrett and Simon Hulstone.

Six finalists will be tasked with creating a dish based on a theme that will be announced on the day of the finals at the Alain Roux Culinary School at the Waterside Inn in Bray.

Keller said: “I’m grateful to be honoured in this way. The Roux Scholarship has impacted generations of chefs including Hrishikesh Desai, Jonathan Ferguson and Ian Scaramuzza, among many others. I’m looking forward to this year’s competition and the scholarship winner.”

Alain Roux added: “As a longstanding friend of the scholarship and the Roux family, it’s a great privilege to welcome chef Keller as our honorary president of the judges. Some of the Roux Scholarship’s most extraordinary highlights in recent years are courtesy of chef Keller, not least the hosting of stages for our scholars, including Jonnie Ferguson in 2023 and Hrishikesh Desai in 2009, at the French Laundry.

“During our educational visits to New York in 2014 and California in 2016, we experienced first-hand chef Keller’s incredible hospitality and cuisine and learned about his unique philosophy at his restaurants. To have chef Keller share our final, in our 40th anniversary year, is the ultimate joyful, educational opportunity for us all.”

Entries have opened for the 2024 Roux Scholarship and will close on 22 January 2024. Chefs who are interested in applying should submit a recipe for four people featuring one short loin of free-range gilt pork from the shoulder end, two fresh pork kidneys, one of which must include sweet potatoes, and a sauce.

The first Roux Scholarship was held by the late Michel Roux and his late brother Albert in 1984 to train a new generation of chefs from Britain.