Chef Elena Arzak named honorary president of judges for the 2025 Roux Scholarship

Basque chef Elena Arzak has been named honorary president of judges for the 2025 Roux Scholarship final.

Arzak is the fourth generation of her family to run the kitchen at the three Michelin-starred Restaurante Arzak in San Sebastián, Spain.

She started her career in the industry after attending hotel and restaurant management school in Lucerne, Switzerland, working at restaurants such as La Maison Troisgros and Pierre Gagnaire in France, Le Louis XV in Monte Carlo and Le Gavroche in London.

She is a champion of the New Basque Cuisine Movement, which she learnt from her father, co-chef and collaborator Juan Mari Arzak.

Arzak said: “As a chef and someone deeply passionate about culinary excellence, being asked to head the jury of the Roux Scholarship is both an honour and a responsibility. The Roux Scholarship stands as one of the highest accolades in culinary training, nurturing and celebrating emerging talent in our field.

“Leading this panel, along with Emily Roux, Clare Smyth, Angela Hartnett and Rachel Humphrey, is a chance to inspire and mentor the next generation of chefs, helping them push boundaries while honouring the Roux family’s legacy of precision, creativity and dedication to the craft.”

Chairman Michel Roux added: “Elena Arzak is one of the most accomplished chefs in the world and carries on the family tradition of championing Basque cuisine in her own innovative style. The fact that she spent several months as a young chef at Le Gavroche on a stage makes this even more special and poignant. I can’t wait to catch up and welcome her to the Roux Scholarship judging panel.”

Chairman Alain Roux commented: “Like the Roux family, chef Elena has cooking in her genes. Training and working as a chef in some of the greatest kitchens in Europe, before taking over Restaurant Arzak from her father, chef Elena has an incredible palate and is a towering example to all upcoming young chefs.”

The Roux Scholarship is accepting entries for the competition until 20 January 2025.

Photography: Sara Santos