From sous chef to Roux chef...

Paul O’Neill, now the senior sous chef at Ashdown Park Hotel in East Sussex, was awarded the 30th Roux Scholarship last month.

“I cannot describe the mixture of emotions I went through when my name was called out – it was without a doubt the greatest moment of my career,” he said on winning the scholarship.

Offered by Michel and Albert Roux for the past 30 years, the award means a cash prize of £5,000 to support 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.

“I was definitely surprised because there was some great competition in the final.

“There were five great chefs and also great people I hope and believe will go on to win the competition some day,” added Paul, who undertook the NVQ1 and NVQ2 full-time catering course at Chichester College.

Speaking of Paul’s win, Michel Roux Jnr said: “Paul is undoubtedly a great chef and an assiduous one at that, but his unflappable nature along with his generous comportment make him the perfect Roux Scholar.