Welcome to the applications portal for the The 50 Best Restaurants Scholarship, in association with Parmigiano Reggiano.

What should I prepare for the application?

• Your general details
• What do you think are the five key skills required of an exceptional modern chef? (five keywords)
• Who do you consider to be an inspirational figure in the industry and why? (max 100 words)
• Tell us about your career goals: what does a future in food look like to you? (max 250 words)
• What has been the greatest influence on your cooking/chef career so far? (max 250 words)
• Why should you win the 50 Best Restaurants Scholarship, in association with Parmigiano Reggiano? (max 50 words)
  
• A short video introducing yourself and why you're excited to apply for the scholarship (max 30 seconds, optional but strongly advised)

The prize

Three finalists will be invited to attend The World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards ceremony in November 2026. The winner will be revealed live at the awards ceremony.

The winner will then be invited to complete two expenses-paid stages (internships) in two of the world’s most-renowned restaurants: The Fat Duck, in the UK, and Salsify at the Roundhouse, in South Africa.

Applications for the scholarship open on 1 April 2026 and close at 12:00 BST on 15 April 2026.

The scholarship is open to aspiring chefs across the world over the age of 18 and with under three full years’ professional experience.

The selection process

The scholarship recipient will be selected after a three-stage judging process:

Round One: Applicants will be asked to introduce themselves and answer five questions about the hospitality industry and their career so far. Applicants are also encouraged to submit a short, optional video. The 25 successful applicants from Round One will be assessed by a panel of 50 Best judges, and informed by 30 June 2026.

Round Two: The shortlisted candidates will design a sweet or savoury dish incorporating Parmigiano Reggiano. The design must be accompanied by a recipe and series of photographs.

This round will be assessed by a panel of 50 Best and Parmigiano Reggiano judges, to shortlist five applicants for interview. 

Round Three: The five selected candidates will be invited for an interview with representatives from 50 Best and Parmigiano Reggiano. 

Three finalists will be hosted at The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 where the ultimate winner will be announced.

Click here to read the Terms and Conditions

Got questions on how the 50 Best Restaurants Scholarship works? Or not sure on how to make your application shine?

Check out some of the most frequently asked questions here – or if you can’t find the answer you were looking for, drop a message at 50BestScholarship@wrbm.com

50 Best Restaurants Scholarship, in association with Parmigiano Reggiano