Passing on savoir-faire at the heart of a timeless legacy: in the competitive world of haute cuisine, few families embody passion and sharing like the Roux. For more than fifty years, this French-British dynasty has shaped the culinary scene, not only through its starred restaurants, but especially through its dedication to passing on its savoir-faire to future generations: the transmission of knowledge, for the Roux, is a philosophy of life that goes far beyond Michelin stars.
The legacy of savoir-faire and sharing
In 1967, Albert and Michel Roux Sr. founded Le Gavroche, a restaurant that would become a symbol of British haute cuisine. “Cooking in London at that time was just terrible,”, Michel Roux Jr., who led the restaurant until it closed in 2024, tells Food & Sens. Thanks to their innovative vision, the two brothers not only elevated the quality of British cuisine but also created an ideal environment for the transmission of their knowledge, leaving their sons, Michel Jr. and Alain, a legacy that transcends culinary technique-a true philosophy that conceives of gastronomy as a vehicle for sharing. “We have always grown up with the idea that knowledge should not be kept to oneself, but passed on to others, to young people who want to in order to learn.”
The Roux Scholarship: a tradition of training young talent
One of the most tangible symbols of commitment to broadcasting is the Roux Scholarship, a competition established in 1984 by Albert and Michel Sr. to support young British chefs. Forty years later, this scholarship is still a springboard for promising chefs, such as Sat Bains and Luke Selby, who recognize its crucial influence on their own careers. Today Michel Jr. and Alain, judges of the competition, see the Scholarship as a means to honor and perpetuate the legacy of their fathers. “We look for chefs who are not only talented, but capable of distinguishing themselves and inspiring others,”, says Michel Jr. Alain adds, “It's a competition like the Culinary Olympics: we judge candidates not by their past, but by how they handle the pressure and shine in the present moment.”
Bonded by family values
Beyond Scholarship, cousins Michel Jr. and Alain share a common vision: to pass on knowledge as a life mission. Although they lead separate restaurants, their union and solidarity stem from the values passed on by their fathers. “There has never been competition between us,”, says Michel Jr. “We have always acted as a true family, helping and supporting each other”. Alain explains that their mission includes supporting young chefs, "We are here to mentor, to help young people find their way. Our fathers always placed great importance on providing opportunities, and that's what we continue to do."
A tribute to the founding fathers
This year, the two cousins will celebrate the legacy of their fathers, who passed away during the pandemic, in a special way. Michel Jr. and Alain have decided to hold a private celebration at the Dorchester Hotel, which will coincide with the 40th anniversary of the Roux Scholarship. “We want to honor our fathers by remembering all they did for gastronomy.”
The next generation
The Roux legacy is not limited to young chefs; the next family generation is also actively involved in the mission. Emily Roux, daughter of Michel Jr. along with her husband Diego Ferrari, is now part of the Scholarship team, participating in the selection of the winners. “It is proof that our heritage continues and that the transmission goes on from generation to generation.” Despite the closure of Le Gavroche, Michel Jr. has no plans to stop. “I have received offers to sell the name or turn it into a franchise, but I will never do that,”, he declares . “Le Gavroche is special to us; it represents much more than a restaurant”. In the meantime, Alain continues to run Waterside Inn, with the same passion he inherited from his father: for him, cooking is a mission, a way to continue to pass on tradition and innovate, always looking to the future.
A timeless legacy
For the Roux, the transmission of knowledge is not just an ideal: it is the backbone of their identity, a founding value that guides their every action. As Alain explains, “What our fathers created goes beyond the sum of starred restaurants: it is a movement, a commitment to gastronomy and future generations”. The Roux family remains an example of excellence and sharing, remembering that true success, to be complete, must be shared and passed on to generations to come.
