Industry Update: New Chef Scholarship Open Now

Gecko Hospitality presents the Auguste Escoffier Scholarship for Culinary Excellence.

HIT Scotland are delighted to announce this new scholarship experience for chefs working in Scotland. This scholarship takes place at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts in Boulder, Colorado, in the USA, and provides a unique opportunity for Scotland’s culinary professionals to elevate their careers through immersive learning and professional development.

Thank you to Gecko Hospitality for funding the travel and accommodation, and to the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts for access to the programme.

This will be awarded to 2 chefs.

What will you learn?

Scholarship recipients will enjoy an immersive, hands-on culinary adventure at Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts in Boulder, Colorado. During their time on campus, participants will train alongside Escoffier chef instructors in both the culinary arts and baking & pastry techniques. Kitchen lab experiences will cover foundational skills like knife work, soups and stocks, pastry techniques, laminated doughs, chocolate artistry, and plating. Whether a beginner or a more seasoned cook, the learning will be thoughtfully adapted to meet each recipient’s experience level.

A highlight of the week is the Farm-to-Table experience, featuring a guided farm tour with hands-on harvesting, sustainability discussions, open-fire cooking, preservation techniques, and a collaborative, farm-fresh lunch. Participants will also dive into wood-fired and rustic cooking methods, explore butchery basics, and participate in a whole-animal utilization workshop.

Beyond the kitchen, recipients will have the opportunity to explore Boulder’s vibrant food scene and share in a series of celebratory meals—rounding out a rich and unforgettable culinary experience.

In addition to their time on campus, scholarship recipients will also receive access to Escoffier Global’s online learning platform, ESource, for the duration of their 12-month brand ambassadorship. They are invited to take any self-directed courses within the system and utilize the extensive video learning library. As they complete courses and QuickCourses on culinary, baking, plant-based cooking, and holistic wellness essentials, learners will earn badges that mark their growing expertise in today’s commercial kitchen standards.

Dates

This experience will take place from Monday 8th to Friday 12th September 2025.

Apply!

This is open to any chef working in Scotland, who has a minimum of 3 years working full time in a professional kitchen. You must have foundational culinary skills and a strong motivation for professional growth. Ideal candidates will be those early in their careers, looking to enhance their skills and industry connections.

Find out more information about this and how to apply at here.

Applications close at midnight on Tuesday 20th May 2025.