Chef Michel Roux

As a chef, Michel is best known as the owner and head chef of iconic Mayfair eatery Le Gavroche, which he ran for more than 30 years until its closure in 2024. Opened by his father and uncle in 1967, Le Gavroche was at the cutting-edge of London’s fine dining scene for more than half a century, and held the triple distinction of being the first restaurant in the UK to earn one, then two, then three Michelin stars. Michel has also carved out a successful career as a TV personality on cooking shows such as Kitchen Impossible, First Class Chefs, Michel Roux’s French Country Cooking, and Five Star Kitchen: Britain’s Next Great Chef.

Since 2010, Michel has been Consultant Chef at The Langham, London, where he oversees the hotel’s world-class culinary offerings, from restaurant menus and in-room dining to the award-winning afternoon tea. He also continues to draw inspiration from the British capital’s vibrant food culture, and can often be found exploring gourmet stores and innovative restaurants throughout the city.

“London has an exceptional food scene,” says Michel. “My favourite part is my neighbourhood, and that’s South London. It’s got everything there. It’s got the great outdoors, you’ve got some beautiful parks. It’s just got a great vibe.”

Among Michel’s favourite neighbourhood eats is Trinity, a storied Michelin-starred institution located a short stroll from his home, while further afield he is also a frequent visitor at fêted Spanish restaurant Sabor, bijou bakery Miel, and cheese specialist La Fromagerie.

“La Fromagerie is an exceptionally beautiful shop. You can buy anything, from fresh fruit and vegetables, but for me the little treasure is that cheese room. Slide open the door and that’s it, I’m in heaven.”

This passion for fine produce and culinary joie de vivre is tangible in every bite at The Langham, London, and nowhere more so than at much-loved pub The Wigmore. “I absolutely love British cuisine when it’s done properly, but obviously I have French blood pumping through my veins, so I like French gastronomy too,” he says. And it’s this combination of hearty British fare and French technical artistry that has made The Wigmore a must-visit for comfort food connoisseurs and hungry bon vivants alike.

“Comfort food for me is something that’s been lovingly cooked. And it doesn’t have to be fanciful. That’s what I want to transmit in my food, especially at The Wigmore. Something that is refined, classy, but not over fanciful. It’s French cooking technique with great British food.”

Michel also adds his signature style to another great British tradition: The Langham’s legendary afternoon tea, which has been served impeccably at the hotel for 160 years. “Afternoon tea is such a British institution. And this was the birthplace of the afternoon tea,” says Michel. Indeed, it’s a ritual that is particularly close to his heart, stemming from his early training as a pastry apprentice which left him with a genuine fondness for the craft and a self-professed sweet tooth.

But whether it’s a time-honoured afternoon tea experience, a sophisticated fine-dining banquet, or the best cheese toastie you’ve ever tasted, the key to it all remains the same: the joy of cooking that has been at the heart of Michel’s culinary craft for as long as he can remember.

“I always say that a grumpy chef will never cook as well as a happy chef,” he adds with a smile.