Michel Roux Jr, Patron of Scottish Chefs
Legendary chef Michel Roux Jr is the chef/owner of iconic Michelin 2-starred Le Gavroche in Mayfair, London. Michel took over the restaurant from his father, Albert Roux OBE, in 1991, and has since navigated the team and restaurant through three decades in the constantly evolving London restaurant scene. Michel has stayed true to the restaurant’s roots in classic French cuisine and maintaining the character of the restaurant that is loved by so many, but has also incorporated a slightly lighter, more modern twist with his own style of cooking. Over the years, Michel has trained some of the UK’s most respected chefs, including Marcus Wareing, Gordon Ramsay, Monica Galetti, Bryn Williams, and Jun Tanaka, all of whom have gone on to secure their own culinary successes.
Photograph: Jodi Hinds
Michel also operates restaurants and a pub at The Langham, London, including Roux at The Landau, Palm Court, and The Wigmore, as part of his role which includes overseeing the food and beverage outlets throughout the entire hotel, as well as conference and events banqueting.
Michel is a familiar face on our TV screens, and fans might recognise him such programmes as MasterChef: The Professionals, Food and Drink, Michel Roux’s Service, First Class Chefs, Hidden Restaurants, Saturday Kitchen, and Remarkable Places to Eat.
He’s written seven cookbooks, the latest of which are Les Abats, dedicated entirely to offal, and The French Revolution, which revisits classic dishes from his traditional French upbringing with a modern approach for the home cook looking for lighter, healthier options.
Always keen to support and develop the hospitality industry, Michel is Co-Chairman of The Roux Scholarship, along with his cousin Alain Roux. The Roux Scholarship is a renowned competition for chefs under 30 who are working in the UK that gives them the opportunity to win a three-month stage at any three-star Michelin restaurant in the world, all expenses paid.
Chef Albert Roux OBE KFO
Born in France, son of a Charcutier, Albert Roux initially considered training as a priest however decided that this was not for him and through his father’s influence he decided to train as a chef. After serving his apprenticeship he worked at the French Embassy in London before being called for military service. On completion of this he worked for 8 years as Sous Chef at the British Embassy in Paris before returning to the UK in the early 60s to work as a chef in private houses.
In 1967 together with his brother Michel he opened Le Gavroche in London which was the first restaurant in the UK to be awarded a Michelin Star and subsequently the first to achieve 2 stars and then ultimately 3 stars.
In 1984 he and Michel established the Roux Scholarship the purpose of which was to provide an opportunity to the finest culinary talent in the country helping them to further their careers. Over the years the Roux Scholarship has been responsible for training many of our finest chefs but most notably the first Roux Scholar Andrew Fairlie.
Chef Roux was our first Patron, he committed himself to supporting and helping Scottish Chefs in whatever way he could. He always attended The Scottish Chefs Conference and was a guest at the 25th Anniversary Dinner held at Gleneagles Hotel in 2019.
A particular interest of Chef Roux was the development of the next generation of chefs and he keenly supported the Scottish Culinary Team. Chef Roux took a special interest in the progress of the team and provided assistance through generating income through sponsorship and donations.
Chef Albert Roux is sadly missed by chefs throughout the world, he leaves a wonderful legacy and the connection with the Roux family has been maintained with the acceptance by his son Chef Michel Roux Jnr to succeed his father as Patron of Scottish Chefs.