Karol Ploch wins the 2024 Roux Scholarship

Karol Ploch has been named 2024 Roux Scholar following a fierce day of competition at the Waterside Inn in Bray, Berkshire.

Ploch, a sous chef at Kerridge's Bar and Grill at the Corinthia London in Whitehall, said being named scholar was "amazing" and the "biggest achievement" of his career so far.

It was the first time the final had been held at the Waterside Inn, which was opened by the scholarship's co-founders Michel Sr and Albert Roux in 1972. The competition, which is celebrating its 40th year, is now chaired by the founders' sons, Alain Roux and Michel Roux.

This year's contest saw six chefs compete to be the 40th Roux Scholar and follow in the footsteps of industry greats such as Andrew Fairlie, Sat Bains, and Mark Birchall.

The finalists were tasked with preparing poached rainbow trout with Carlingford oysters.

The chairmen told the chefs the trout needed to be served warm with a sauce and garnish, before inviting them to explore a display of close to 100 ingredients for their use.

Michel told the finalists: "We want to see flair, we want to see your cooking skills and we want you to express yourselves.

"The judges expect you guys to be creative, imaginative, but do not forget to make it achievable and something that's memorable, which does not necessarily mean complicated."

This year, the scholarship welcomed Thomas Keller, chef patron of the three-Michelin-starred French Laundry in California and Per Se in New York, as its honorary president.

Keller told the competitors: "We cook to nurture people, to make people happy. I want you to take that thought into your preparation today. You are cooking to nurture us and to make us happy."

Ploch was named as the 2024 scholar this evening (Monday 8 April) at a ceremony held at Coworth Park in Berkshire, which is home to 2012 scholar Adam Smith's Michelin-starred restaurant Woven.

The winning finalist had served the judges rainbow trout poached in an oyster sauce, chateau potatoes glazed in a chicken reduction, trout roulade with leeks and chanterelles, as well as asparagus.

An additional oyster sauce on the side was finished with kaffir lime and thyme.

Michel said: "Karol's dish had great flavour, perfectly cooked fish and well-balanced garnishes.

"He worked well with his commis and made it look simple.

"As per usual we had six great finalists who cooked to a very high standard."

As winner of the Roux Scholarship, Ploch will have the opportunity to undertake a two-month stage at any three-Michelin-starred restaurant in the world or create a bespoke training package to the value of £12,000.

The winner of the Roux Scholarship also receives £6,000 to spend on educational opportunities and career development. An additional £6,000 is awarded to the scholar if they remain with their employer for 15 months after winning the competition.

Michel Sr and Albert Roux established the Roux Scholarship in 1983.

The 2024 Roux Scholarship finalists were:

Harrison Brockington of Gather in Totnes

Ben Miller of Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal in London

Karol Ploch of Kerridge's Bar & Grill in London

Jordan Randerson of the Elephant in Torquay

Liam Smith of Pine in East Wallhouses

Evelina Stripeikyte of the Glenturret Lalique in Crieff

Pictures: Jodi Hinds