The hunt is under way to find the 2005 Roux Scholar following the announcement of the semifinal line-up and the preliminary paper judging. There will be two cook-offs on 3 March to determine the six finalists, one taking place at Birmingham College of Food, Tourism and Creative Studies, and the other at Kingsway Westminster College in London.
The chefs, all aged under 30, are: Robert Thompson, Winteringham Fields, Lincolnshire; Christopher Johnson, Tatlers, Norwich; Rory MacDonald, formerly of the Lace Market in Nottingham; Christopher Norman, Spread Eagle, Midhurst; Matthew Tomkinson, Ockenden Manor, Cuckfield; Allan Brown, Watersreach, Manchester; Matthew Shropshall, Royal Oak, King's Bromley and Birmingham College; Jacqueline Jenkinson, Brian Turner Restaurant, Crowne Plaze, NEC; Gary Sing June Chang, Bank, London; Bradley Orchard, Restaurant Associates; Graham Walker, George Hotel, Yarmouth; Lee Clarke, Shell, London; Emil Minev, the Ritz Casino, London; Alan Irwin, Chapter One, Farnborough, Kent; Daniel Cox, Restaurant Associates; Bryn Williams, Orrery, London; Ethan Rodgers, Bailiffes Court, Climping; Ravi Kant Rao, Rasoi Vineet Bhatia, London; Ben Webb, Cliveden, Taplow.
The final takes place on 4 April at the Mandarin Oriental hotel, London.
Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 17 February 2005