2025 Roux Scholarship winner revealed

Craig Johnston has been named the 2025 Roux Scholar following a tough day of competition at the Waterside Inn in Bray, Berkshire.

The head chef at Michelin-starred Angler in London’s South Place hotel beat five other competitors to the prestigious title in the national final on Monday.

Johnston is no stranger to awards, having won MasterChef: the Professionals in 2017 at the age of 21 and The Caterer’s Acorn Award in 2022. He previously worked as head chef at Michelin-starred Marcus at the Berkeley hotel until the restaurant closed in 2023.

The chef has now been named the 41st Roux Scholar, following in the footsteps of industry greats including Andrew Fairlie, Sat Bains and Mark Birchall.

Johnston told The Caterer: "At the moment I’m still trying to process what’s just happened but I’m incredibly proud. I’m a little bit speechless, I’m over the moon to be here.

"The support mechanism from the scholarship and the organisation of the challenge, everything was impeccable and so well orchestrated. That took away a lot of the stress from the challenge - I’m not saying it wasn’t stressful - but it was so impressive to be a part of."

This year’s Roux Scholarship was judged by chefs including Alain, Michel and Emily Roux, Angela Hartnett and Sat Bains.

Basque chef Elena Arzak, who is the fourth generation of her family to run the three Michelin-starred Restaurant Arzak in San Sebastián, Spain, oversaw proceedings as the honorary president of judges.

Competitors were challenged to cook Wyndford Wagyu shank with bone marrow, borlotti bean and Basque-style stuffed potatoes.