The 50 Best Restaurants Scholarship, in association with Parmigiano Reggiano

Creating opportunities for aspiring chefs

The 50 Best Restaurants Scholarship, in partnership with Parmigiano Reggiano, offers new-to-the-industry chefs from around the world the opportunity to undertake a series of stages at some of the world's best restaurants.

Open to anyone over the age of 18 with less than three years' experience in a professional kitchen, the scholarship gives early-career chefs the chance to refine their technique and gain hands-on experience alongside the very best in the business.

Applications closed at 12:00 BST on Wednesday 15 April 2026

This year's winner will have the chance to work at The Fat Duck in Bray, United Kingdom (named No.1 on The World's 50 Best Restaurants list in 2005 and now an honorary member of the Best of the Best hall of fame), led by chef Heston Blumenthal; and Salsify at the Roundhouse in Cape Town, South Africa, from chefs Ryan Cole and Nina du Toit, No.88 on The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2025 extended list. 

The scholarship winner will spend four weeks at each restaurant in 2027, with all flights, accommodation and travel costs covered, plus £2,000 per stage.

How can potential scholars apply?

During the open application window, candidates are asked to supply written statements on: 

• What they think are the five key skills required of an exceptional modern chef 

• What they think are the most important issues faced by the modern restaurant world 

• Who they believe to be an inspirational figure in the industry and why 

• Their career goals, what a future in food looks like to them and to tell us what the greatest influence on their cooking/chef career has been so far. Examples could include a family member, your country/region's cuisine, formative travel experiences, an inspirational mentor etc. 

• A short video telling us why they should win The 50 Best Restaurants Scholarship 

• Photos of them cooking or creating dishes
  
  

The selection process:

Round one: Applicants answer questions about their career so far and their inspirations. They are also encouraged to submit an optional 30 second video introducing themselves. These entries will be assessed by The 50 team.

Round two: A shortlist of 25 successful candidates develop, plate and film a dish they have created featuring Parmigiano Reggiano. They also answer questions on the inspiration behind it. The submissions are reviewed by the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium and The 50 Team.

Round three: Five candidates will be invited to a final interview stage to answer a selection of further questions about their culinary journey. After discussions with each candidate, the panel – comprised of representatives from The 50 Team and the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium – selects three finalists to attend The 50 Best Restaurants 2026 in November. The ultimate winner is revealed on stage at the official awards ceremony in front of the world's leading gastronomic talent and international food media.

Read about previous scholarship winners, Angélica Ortiz and Andersen Lee here.

As part of The 50's commitment to powering a more positive future in the hospitality, the scholarship programme extends to The 50 Best Bars, with a dedicated scholarship for aspiring bartenders.