Johnston, who is head chef at the Michelin-starred Angler restaurant in London’s South Place Hotel, won the 2025 Roux Scholarship yesterday (14 April) following the finals of the competition held at the Alain Roux Culinary School at The Waterside Inn in Bray.
The chef, who has previously cooked under Marcus Wareing, became the youngest-ever winner of MasterChef: The Professionals back in 2017.
Johnston was one of six chefs competing for the title of Roux Scholar 2025.
The other participants were Katherine Altham, from Hélène Darroze at The Connaught in London; Liam Anderson, from Cambridge’s Midsummer House; Erin Jackson Yates, from Bar Valette in London; Oliver Robinson from Coworth Park in Berkshire; and Nikoletta Theofylaktidou at Restaurant Associates in London.
For this year’s final, the six chefs were asked to prepare their own dish inspired by the cuisine of Honorary President of Judges Elena Arzak, centred around Wyndford wagyu shank with bone marrow, borlotti beans and Basque-style stuffed potatoes.
They had a wide choice of other ingredients with which to prepare their recipe.
As this year’s winner, Johnston will receive up to £12,000 to support his career development.
Additionally, he will have the option of taking park in either a two-month stage at a three-Michelin-starred restaurant anywhere in the world or a bespoke training programme tailored to his individual ambitions, skills gaps and interests, alongside receiving prizes from the competition sponsors.