A Front-Row Seat to Culinary Excellence: The Roux Scholarship 2025 Regional Finals

At the University of West London, I had the incredible opportunity to assist Chef Nikoletta during the Roux Scholarship 2025 Regional Finals. Watching how professionals handle the kitchen with such calmness, organisation, focus, and confidence was truly inspiring. Every movement had a purpose, every action was well thought out, and despite the pressure, there was a sense of control and precision that I deeply admire.

I learned so much during this experience. How to stay composed under pressure, manage time efficiently, and maintain a laser focus on the smallest details while executing a dish to perfection. Working alongside Chef Nikoletta, I saw firsthand how experience, skill, and preparation come together to create something exceptional. Her dish was outstanding, and her approach to the competition was a masterclass in professionalism.

A huge thank you to Ashley, Michael, and the University of West London for giving students like me this opportunity to work with industry experts and gain invaluable experience. I am also deeply grateful to the Roux family, the judges, the event coordinators, and everyone involved for their warm welcome and for creating such an inspiring platform for young chefs.

As a student, it was truly eye-opening to see such talent and dedication up close. Well done to all the finalists, you were all incredible. Wishing you all the best for the final and good luck, Nikoletta. I can only imagine the level of skill, effort, and experience it takes to compete at this level. For those returning next year, I hope to see you come back even stronger.

It was also a pleasure meeting the five chefs from Lexington Catering. Hope you had fun, and it was great getting to know you.

Thank you for letting me be a small part of this amazing experience.