Competitors at next year's Roux Scholarship will be faced with a new judging line-up, including the three-Michelin-starred chef and Catey winner Heston Blumenthal.

Blumenthal replaces Rick Stein and will be joined by fellow new judge Andrew Fairlie, who in 1984 was the first Roux Scholar.

The 2006 Roux Scholar will take home an increased cash prize of £3,000 as well as securing a three-month stage at a three-Michelin-starred restaurant. The winner will also be invited on trips to New York, Milan and Champagne.

• See next week's Caterer, which includes the annual Best of Chef supplement, for an interview between Fairlie and his Roux Scholarship mentor, Michel Guérard, at the Les Prés d'Eugénie restaurant in south-west France.