The World’s 50 Best Restaurants has opened applications for its 2026 scholarship programme, run in partnership with Parmigiano Reggiano. If you’re an up-and-coming chef with big ambitions and have less than three years of professional kitchen experience, this one’s worth paying attention to.
The idea behind the initiative is to give emerging culinary talent real access to world-class kitchens and the chefs who run them.
The scholarship winner will get two four-week placements (known in the industry as “stages”) at two renowned restaurants. The first is The Fat Duck in Bray, United Kingdom, led by Heston Blumenthal. It topped The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list back in 2005 and now holds a permanent spot in the Best of the Best hall of fame. The second is Salsify at the Roundhouse in Cape Town, South Africa, helmed by chefs Ryan Cole and Nina du Toit, currently ranked No. 88 on the 2025 list. Both placements are designed to sharpen technique, build confidence and offer genuine hands-on experience in high-level kitchen environments.
Applications are open now via The World’s 50 Best Restaurants website and close on 15 April, so there’s not long to wait around.
To enter, candidates need to answer questions about their culinary philosophy and career goals. There’s also the option to submit a short introductory video of up to 30 seconds. The first round will be assessed by a panel from 50 Best. From there, shortlisted applicants will move through two further rounds, which include creating a recipe using Parmigiano Reggiano and submitting a cooking demonstration video. These will be reviewed jointly by 50 Best and the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium.
The final three candidates will be flown out to attend The World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards ceremony in November 2026, where the scholarship winner will be announced.
The scholarship is part of 50 Best’s broader effort to support the next generation of chefs by giving them meaningful exposure to the global restaurant industry. It’s a working opportunity in two of the world’s most respected kitchens.
Nicola Bertinelli, President of the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium, said the partnership reflects the brand’s commitment to championing young chefs, describing them as “the future ambassadors of Parmigiano Reggiano.” The collaboration is now in its second year, with Parmigiano Reggiano serving as the Official Cheese Partner of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2026.
A spokesperson for 50 Best said the organisation looks forward to receiving applications from around the world and supporting talented individuals as they take the next step in their careers.
For full details and to submit your application, visit the 50 Best Restaurants Scholarship page.
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