The Legacy Scholarship
OPEN FOR APPLICATION
Closes at 5pm on Friday 13th June 2025
Scotland’s most talented up-and-coming chefs are being offered the chance to learn in one of the country’s most iconic kitchens, as this new Scotland Food & Drink and HIT Scotland Legacy Scholarship is now open for applications.
This innovative new scholarship was created to celebrate the MICHELIN Guide Ceremony for Great Britain & Ireland taking place in Scotland for the first time in 2025. As a legacy project from the event, the scholarship will see one successful applicant undertake a unique five-day stage at The Ritz, London, led by Executive Chef John Williams MBE.
With Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles and The Glenturret Lalique both holding two MICHELIN Stars, and a further 11 restaurants with one MICHELIN Star dotted around the country, Scotland punches above its weight when it comes to world-class dining. This new scholarship aims to showcase the inspirational development opportunities available to chefs in Scotland, while providing a stepping stone for those looking to progress in their career.
Applications are welcomed from any chef in Scotland with at least five years’ experience working full-time in a professional kitchen, with entries closing on Friday, 13th June 2025.
As well as looking for ambition, enthusiasm and a desire to progress within the industry, a panel of expert judges will seek clear examples of how applicants have shown commitment to sourcing and promoting quality Scottish food and drink, and how they would become an ambassador for Scotland’s exceptional ingredients on completion of the internship.
After a rigorous judging process, which will see the top three candidates invited for interview, the scholarship winner will be announced at the prestigious Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards, taking place on Thursday, 4th September at DoubleTree by Hilton, Glasgow.
Empowering Scotland's food and drink businesses to achieve their full potential to drive our economy, sustain our environment, and support our communities.
Scotland Food & Drink is the leadership organisation that is responsible for the delivery of the 10-year national food and drink strategy ‘Sustaining Scotland. Supplying the World’.
For more than 15 years it has led the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership, representing the industry and its more than 350 member businesses to government, and bringing industry, government, and government agencies together. One group with a shared vision, working for the benefit of Scotland’s agriculture, aquaculture, fishing, and food and drink sectors.
The shortlist will be interviewed by these industry experts.
Fiona Richmond, Head of Regional Food at Scotland Food & Drink, said: “Having the MICHELIN Award Ceremony held in Scotland for the first time shone a spotlight on the wealth of talent we have working in kitchens up and down the country – and the new Legacy Scholarship is an important part of helping the next generation develop skills and progress their career.
“We are excited to hear from chefs who have a passion for working with Scotland’s unparalleled larder, from seafood and dairy to whisky and beef, and would encourage anyone looking to take the next step in their culinary journey to apply. John Williams and the team at The Ritz are world-renowned for their skill, refinement and dedication, so this Scholarship represents a unique opportunity for a Scottish chef to hone their craft.”
David Cochrane, CEO of HIT Scotland added: “These opportunities are a once in a lifetime chance to learn from the best of the best and enhance your skills and knowledge with one of the top practitioners in the country. We are proud to support this legacy from the awards, and this will be a very desirable learning experience at The Ritz.”
John Williams, Executive Chef at The Ritz said:
Application
Full details about the Scholarship is outlined below including what is involved, who it is for and how and when to apply.
Before applying, make sure you read the application guidance document (here). Please take note of the questions and consider your answers before completing the online application form.
You must have the approval of a senior manager to apply, whether that be the Executive Chef, Head Chef, General Manager, Operations Manager or HR Manager. This is to ensure that they feel the opportunity is suitable for you, and that they are willing to give you the time to take part, if successful.
Please note, the scholarship content specifics are subject to change.
The Legacy Scholarship
What: The Legacy Scholarship in association with Scotland Food & Drink (SF&D) and HIT Scotland (HIT), as a legacy of the 2025 MICHELIN Awards Great Britain & Ireland held in Glasgow, February 2025.
What is the learning experience: a 5- day stage with hands-on kitchen experience in a 2- starred Michelin restaurant.
Who can apply: open to any chef working in Scotland who has at least 5 years’ experience working full time in a professional kitchen. They must continue to work in Scotland until the scholarship prize has been fulfilled.
Where: 2-starred Michelin restaurant The Ritz, London.
When: 5 consecutive days at The Ritz, with a day required either side for travelling to and from London. It will take place during October/November 2025. Dates will be arranged to suit both the winner and The Ritz.
What’s provided: all travel and accommodation is organised and taken care of. The restaurant is in the Piccadilly Mayfair area, and we will organise nearby local accommodation within easy travelling distance.
Structure: this is a hands- on learning experience. The successful chef will work with Executive Chef John Williams MBE and his team, learning from them and working with the kitchen team preparing and cooking food for service.
Number of scholarships: 1 chef
Expectations: the successful chef will be an ambassador for this scholarship. They are expected to provide feedback about their experience, answering questions about what they have learned and how useful it will be for their professional career, to be used as a promotional case study by both Scotland Food & Drink and HIT Scotland. Either the chef or The Ritz will take some photos during the experience (as allowed) and may be required to conduct some social media throughout the scholarship. Guidance will be provided. They will also be required to participate in relevant media requests and speak at a Scotland Food & Drink event (s) about the experience.
Application criteria: Applicants must be able to demonstrate, providing clear examples/evidence:
Knowledge of and commitment to source and promote quality Scottish food and drink
Career ambition and a desire to learn and progress
How they would be an ambassador post-stage
A positive, can-do attitude and enthusiasm for the sector
Application questions:
Tell us about your approach to sourcing local/Scottish food and drink and if/why this is important to you.
What is your favourite Scottish ingredient to work with and why?
If you could cook with any chef in the world, who would that be and why?
What professional skills/learnings/knowledge would you like to gain from the experience and why? Please list up to 5.
What would you do to be an ambassador on your return? How would you plan to disseminate/pass on any learnings?
Please summarise why you would love to win the scholarship (no more than 500 words). You are welcome to attach supplementary information such as testimonials/letters of support/press coverage.
CV: We also need a current CV. Please send this plus any of the supplementary information (e.g. letters of support; testimonials; medica coverage) by email to our Scholarship Manager alyson@hitscotland.co.uk after you have submitted your application.