Finalists revealed for 2025 Roux Scholarship

The finalists have been announced for the 2025 Roux Scholarship.

The 2025 Roux Scholarship is a prestigious cooking competition for UK-resident chefs aged 22-29 and offers a life-changing opportunity for young chefs to showcase their culinary skills and creativity. 

The chosen finalists will compete for the title of Roux Scholar on April 14 at the Alain Roux Culinary School at The Waterside Inn.

Finalists

Katherine Altham, from Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, London

Liam Anderson, Midsummer House, Cambridge

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Erin Jackson Yates, Bar Valette, London

Craig Johnston, Angler Restaurant, London

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Oliver Robinson, Coworth Park, Berkshire

Nikoletta Theofylaktidou, Restaurant Associates, London

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Reserve: Harrison Miller, Blundells School, Devon

Katherine said: “It was very interesting and obviously very busy. To be honest, I didn’t think it went that well, so the result was better than I expected. I was thinking I’d be able to have a little holiday after the regional finals but that’s not to be. On to the next stage!”

Liam added: “I’m happy with the dish I put up. Before the final there’ll be time to get back to work at Midsummer House and think about what is next. I’ll need to get a little bit of rest and sleep; my days have been full of gurnards, parsnips and media interviews, but I’m grateful for it all.”

Craig said: “It went well, it was very, very chaotic and fast-paced. The time flew by but in the last half an hour it all came together. Now to scramble more practice time before the national final!”

Nikoletta added: “It was very stressful to begin with but, in the end, it was successful. I’m really chuffed. I have had excellent support from my work team and head chef. Now it’s time for practice, practice and I need to get some classical techniques spot on before the national final next month.”

Erin said: “It went well, I felt more confident in the kitchen than I did afterwards, but it all panned out okay in the end. The timing - right at the end, knowing when to finish the dish off and plate it - was the hardest thing for me.”

Judges

The judging panels for the competition in Birmingham and London feature some of the most renowned chefs in the culinary world:

Birmingham:

• Michel Roux Jr: Celebrated chef and television personality.
• Sat Bains: Roux Scholar 1999 and Michelin-starred chef.
• Simon Hulstone: Roux Scholar 2003 and award-winning chef.
• Rachel Humphrey: Acclaimed chef with extensive experience.

London:

• Alain Roux: Michelin-starred chef and part of the Roux dynasty.
• Brian Turner CBE: Renowned chef and television personality.
• Emily Roux: Talented chef and member of the Roux family.
• Angela Hartnett OBE: Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur.
• André Garrett MCA: Roux Scholar 2002 and acclaimed chef.
• Adam Smith MCA: Roux Scholar 2012 and award-winning chef.

Judging at the University College Birmingham, Michel Roux Jr: “Gurnard is not an easy fish to showcase and to cook with, so today we have six very well-cooked dishes and all of them very individual. The dessert seemed to be a bit of stumbling block for most of our chefs, but saying that, it’s been a very good competition and all the judges are leaving with very full tummies.”

Judging at the University of West London, Alain Roux said: “It was a beautiful day to watch the chefs work and they went about it confidently and professionally. It was clear they’d practised their dish several times. Without being over-confident they worked cleanly and in an organised way. In London, we had five worthy finalists.”