The 50 Best Restaurants Scholarship, in association with Parmigiano Reggiano, is returning in 2025, offering aspiring chefs the chance to work at two globally renowned restaurants, including two-time World’s Best Restaurant, El Celler de Can Roca, and SingleThread in Healdsburg, California. Here’s what you need to know.
Established in 2019, the 50 Best Restaurants Scholarship has provided the next generation of chef talent the opportunity to fast-track their careers through the provision of once-in-a-lifetime experiences working at world-leading restaurants, from Mirazur to Mugaritz.
After a short hiatus, the programme is returning in 2025 in partnership with Parmigiano Reggiano, open to any chef over the age of 18 with less than three full years’ experience in a professional kitchen or similar environment.
Selected through a three-stage process, this year’s winning candidate will be invited to attend The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 in Turin, Italy, before embarking on two all-expenses-paid stages (internships) at gastronomic institutions: El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, two-time No.1 of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, and SingleThread in Healdsburg, California, US (No.46 in The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2024).
The recipient will spend one month at each restaurant in early 2026, with all flights, accommodation and travel costs covered, plus £1,500 per stage.
This year's scholarship recipient will learn from the visionary brothers behind El Celler de Can Roca
The three finalists – who will all be invited to attend The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 – will take part in an educational experience while in Italy, travelling to the birthplace of Parmigiano Reggiano to get hands-on with the production of the iconic cheese and learn more about its history.
Think you have what it takes? Applications for the 50 Best Restaurants Scholarship 2025, in association with Parmigiano Reggiano, are now open until Monday 31 March at 17:00 BST (UTC+1).
The selection process
The first round will open on Monday 17 March for two weeks, inviting chefs from across the world to submit their application. Applicants will be required to answer a selection of questions about their background, culinary philosophy and vision for the future of hospitality. They will also be invited to submit an optional 30-second video to introduce themselves to the judging panel of senior 50 Best representatives..png)
All three finalists will take part in an educational experience while in Italy for The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2025
A shortlist of 25 successful candidates will advance through to the second round, where they will be required to develop, plate and film a dish they have created featuring Parmigiano Reggiano, and answer questions on the inspiration behind it.
These submissions will be reviewed by both the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium and 50 Best to bring it down to just five candidates for the final interview stage. After discussions with each candidate, the panel will decide on three finalists who will be invited to attend The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 events programme in Turin from 17-20 June.
The ultimate winner will then be revealed on stage at the official awards ceremony on Thursday 19 June in front of the world’s leading gastronomic talent and international food media.
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