Michel Roux

Michel Roux Jr. was born on May 23, 1960, in Pembury, Kent, England. His culinary journey began at an early age, influenced by his father, Albert Roux, and uncle, Michel Roux, who were prominent figures in the UK’s food scene. At sixteen, he began his apprenticeship in Paris with Master Patissier Henri Hellegouarch. He further honed his skills as a commis de cuisine at Le Gavroche from 1979 to 1980, working under his father and uncle. Following this, he spent two years training under Alain Chapel in Mionnay, France. His diverse training also included military service at the Élysée Palace from 1982 to 1983, where he served Presidents Valéry Giscard d’Estaing and François Mitterrand, and further experience at Charcuterie Gérard Mothu and Boucherie Lamartine in Paris. This extensive early training established a strong foundation in classical French culinary techniques.

Michel Roux Jr. returned to the family business in 1985, joining his uncle at the Waterside Inn before working with his father at Le Gavroche in London. He managed the Roux brothers’ catering business for three years. In 1990, coinciding with the brothers splitting their business, he returned to Le Gavroche. He officially took over the restaurant in 1993 when his father retired. Under his leadership, Le Gavroche maintained its two Michelin stars and reputation for fine French dining until its closure in January 2024. Beyond the restaurant, Roux Jr. has served as a food consultant for the Walbrook club since 2003 and for fine dining providers Restaurant Associates.

Roux Jr. has also established a significant media presence. He appeared as a judge on BBC Two’s “MasterChef: The Professionals” for five series (2008–2013) and presented “Michel Roux’s Service.” In 2013, he explored the life of Georges Auguste Escoffier in “The First Master Chef: Michel Roux On Escoffier” for BBC Four. From 2013 to 2014, he co-presented BBC Two’s “Food and Drink” and later presented “First Class Chefs” for the Disney Channel and “Kitchen Impossible with Michel Roux Jr” for Channel 4 in 2015. He also temporarily stepped in as a presenter for BBC’s “Saturday Kitchen” in April 2016 and presented “Michel Roux’s French Country Cooking” on Food Network from 2021 to 2022. He served as a judge on “Five Star Kitchen: Britain’s Next Great Chef” in 2023. He has authored several cookbooks, including “Le Gavroche Cookbook,” “The Marathon Chef,” and “Matching Food and Wine,” which received an award at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards.