Roux Scholar 2018, Martin Carabott completes successful stage at Eleven Madison Park, New York
Winner of the Roux Scholarship 2018 Martin Carabott has completed his stage at Eleven Madison Park in New York, USA. The three-month placement, with all expenses paid, is the star prize of the annual competition, with winners able to choose any 3 star Michelin kitchen in world.
Martin’s choice was Eleven Madison Park, one of the world’s most revered restaurants; it has held three Michelin stars since 2011 and was named number one in the World’s Best Restaurant guide in 2017. It has been owned by Chef Daniel Humm and Restaurateur Will Guidara since 2011 and it is set in an Art Deco building overlooking Madison Square Park, one of Manhattan’s most beautiful green spaces.
Martin said: “I chose to stage at Eleven Madison Park primarily because I love the food they do there because it is technically perfect, yet looks simple and sharp. I have admired the evolution of the food and the iden
tity of the restaurant, and how it became cleaner and more refined.”
During his stage, Martin began with helping out in the kitchen before progressing quickly to training on different sections, under the guidance of Chef de Cuisine Brian Lockwood. Martin devised a dish for the restaurant’s seasonal ‘Cook Battle’ competition. Chef Lockwood said: “During his time at Eleven Madison Park, Martin was able to spend time with chefs working on four different stations in the kitchen. He also participated in our quarterly ‘Cook Battle’ competition, which really helps drive our collaborative creativity. He placed second out of 50 cooks which is a huge honour in itself. He worked really hard, was super-focused and will no doubt make an impact in our industry in the coming years.”
Martin said: “I was thrown in the deep end, which I really enjoyed and I was embraced as one of the team.
To do well on four different sections in one of the best restaurants in the world is a real boost for me. Even though it was tough, I am happy I lived up to the reputation of the Roux Scholarship and its scholars, learning a ton of techniques along the way. I am returning to the UK a much better chef than when I arrived!” In addition to this, and his other prestigious prizes, Martin will receive support and encouragement from his fellow scholars and the Roux Family for the rest of his career. He says: “Even now, as I start my life as a Roux Scholar, I see what amazing opportunities the Roux Scholarship offers chefs my age.”
Chairman Alain Roux is delighted Martin was able to fulfill his dream of working at Eleven Madison Park thanks to the Roux Scholarship: “Understandably, there is a waiting list not only to go and eat there but also to work there! So, for Martin to be accepted to do his winning three-month stage here is truly special.”
Fellow chairman Michel Roux Jr said: “I am so happy Martin has had such a fantastic experience at Eleven Madison Park. Daniel Humm is a true master of his craft often using only two or three ingredients to mind blowing effect. Coupled with living in New York, one of the world’s gastronomic capitals, he has had an enriching, once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
The dates for the 2019 competition are as follows:
31st January 2019: Deadline for applications.
14th March 2019: Regional finalists compete, each cooking their written recipe plus a mystery basket dessert recipe challenge. Regional finals take place at University College Birmingham and University of West London. Six national finalists shortlisted.
1st April 2019: National Final at Westminster Kingsway College, London.
Final Awards ceremony at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, Knightsbridge.
Prizes
The winner receives £6,000, to support their career development and an invitation to cook and train under the supervision of a leading chef at a prestigious three-star Michelin restaurant anywhere in the world for up to three months. This is in addition to a host of fabulous prizes from our sponsors.
About the Roux Scholarship:
In 1984, Michel Roux founded the Roux Scholarship with his brother Albert to enable a new generation of chefs from Britain to train in the greatest restaurants in the world. Not only has it become the industry’s most acclaimed chef competition in the UK with many scholars having gone on to win Michelin stars themselves, it ranks among the most prestigious competitions for chefs in the world. Since it was established more than three decades ago, it has helped British chefs gain the international recognition they deserve. With many young chefs entering the competition each year, it is true to say thousands have been inspired, and lives changed, by the experience of competing.
Our sponsors
The Roux Scholarship is supported by a number of companies including sponsors: Aubrey Allen Ltd, Bridor UK & Ireland, Seafood Holdings Ltd, I Grunwerg Ltd “Global Knives”, Hildon Ltd, Restaurants Associates & Levy Leisure Group, Champagne Laurent-Perrier (UK) Ltd, L’Unico Caffe Musetti, Mash Purveyors Ltd, Oritain UK , Qatar Airways, TRUEfoods Ltd, and Udale Speciality Foods Ltd.
Go to www.rouxscholarship.co.uk for more information about the Roux Scholarship competition and details of the long list of prizes, courtesy of our sponsors and preferred partners.
