Media Release: Student chef earns incredible Albert Roux opportunity

Emma-Rose

AN Ayrshire College hospitality management student is still pinching herself after accepting a sensational three-year training programme with one of the world’s best loved chefs, Albert Roux OBE.

Kilmarnock’s Emma-Rose Milligan met the restaurateur at the Scottish Chefs Conference in November where she was representing her current employer Braehead Foods.

Soon after, Emma-Rose was delighted to receive an e-mail from Albert’s company offering her the three year programme – which includes a one-year stay in France.

Back in 1967, Albert and his brother Michel opened London’s Le Gavroche restaurant, which became the first British restaurant to achieve a Michelin star, and also the first to receive the highest rating of three Michelin stars.

Albert continues to run a series of successful restaurants around the world including a number in Scotland.

Emma-Rose will travel to one of those restaurants, situated within the prestigious Inverlochy House in Fort William, in two weeks’ time for an introductory meeting.

Speaking at Ayrshire College, the 20 year-old said: “I can’t believe it. I feel like I don’t deserve it – it’s such a massive opportunity. Hopefully I’ll be able to grasp it with both hands.

“I’m really looking forward to it and I can’t wait to learn a whole different side of the restaurant.”

Before she begins the programme, Emma-Rose is aiming to finish her HNC Hospitality Management course at Ayrshire College. She will then start another fantastic opportunity over the summer, working at the unique Three Chimneys restaurant in Skye.

Emma-Rose said “I’ll be joining Albert’s group straight after I finish at the Three Chimneys. I first went there on a working trial and was then invited to come in for work experience over three months – but Albert Roux wants me to stay there longer.

“Right now, I’m working at Braehead Foods, helping out the classes in the cook school. I used to work downstairs in the production kitchen and it’s quite hard, there’s a lot of work involved. But it’s great to pick up new techniques and take part in their functions.

“I’m in the college for three days a week, where I learn all the basics. The facilities here are really good. And all the lecturers are amazing, they have personal experience in the industry so their advice comes from that.”

2016 is set up to be a huge year for Emma-Rose’s development within the hospitality industry.

She said: “I love food and I love cooking. I’ve always been interested in it and I’m good at it. The industry needs new chefs coming through. There are huge opportunities out there and the dream for me is Michelin star dining.”

Curriculum manager at Ayrshire College, Sally Kennedy, commented that Emma Rose has been offered a “once in a lifetime opportunity” which is “wonderful for her and will inspire our hospitality students”.

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Ayrshire College contact details…

Contact: Martin Currie
Phone: 01563523501
Email: martin.currie@ayrshire.ac.uk
Website: http://www.ayrshire.ac.uk/