The winner of the life-changing Le Cordon Bleu London Scholarship Competition 2025 was announced on Monday at the Bloomsbury Institute.
Emma Keenan from Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, has been named the winner of the competition which marked the 130th anniversary of the Le Cordon Bleu.
Hitting such a major milestone, this event featured its largest prize package to date – worth over £90,000 – and saw 16 talented, aspiring chefs showcase their skills in a live culinary challenge final, to take the top spot.
Emma Keenan, aged 27, impressed the esteemed judging panel – including Emily Roux (Caractère), Chris Galvin (Galvin Restaurants), Nicolas Houchet (The Savoy), and winner of the 2024 Scholarship, Caoimhe O’Neill-McGuinness – with a Savoury Choux Ring with Mushrooms, Mascarpone and Hazelnut and Parmesan Craquelin.
Throughout, Emma showed determination and intuition in the kitchen, and her genuine passion for the culinary arts that came across in her interview, which all combined to see her officially crowned winner at the awards ceremony and dinner hosted at CORD by Le Cordon Bleu that very same day.
Emma commented: “I don’t think I’ve ever felt so proud of myself in my life. I feel incredibly grateful because every finalist is a deserving winner. They’re all such talented and passionate people. I feel incredibly excited about the journey that’s in front of me and I can’t wait to get started. I have no doubt it’s going to be challenging and intense, but in the best way. Anyone who is considering applying for the next Scholarship you absolutely need to believe and just take that shot. It comes with this sense of vulnerability, but it’s the best thing to put yourself out there for something that you genuinely care about because everything can change, so 100% apply. If you are in any way passionate about food, you absolutely have to do it.”
Emma has received a full scholarship to pursue Le Cordon Bleu’s renowned Grand Diplôme®, which combines both cuisine and pâtisserie training. The prize package is worth over £90,000, and also includes a three-month internship at CORD, 12 months’ accommodation in London courtesy of Londonist DMC, mentorship from Michel Roux Jr. and Chris Galvin, and an overnight stay at The Savoy.
This year, two runners up were also recognised for the first time. They will receive a 2-week internship at CORD and special prizes from The Savoy and Phaidon:
- Second place: Melissa Kuo from London, awarded a place a on either the Basic Cuisine or Basic Patisserie 3-month programme.
- Third place: Ruby Goodens from Hull, awarded a place on Le Cordon Bleu’s Summer Essentials Course.
All contestants will receive a year’s membership to CKBK and a custom chefs jacket courtesy of Clement Design.
Culinary Arts Director at Le Cordon Bleu London, Emil Minev, commented: “This year’s 130th Anniversary Scholarship has been one of our most exciting and competitive to date. The level of creativity and dedication from all the finalists was exceptional, and Emma distinguished herself with outstanding technique and passion. We are honoured to support their culinary journey.”
Le Cordon Bleu is the leading global network of culinary arts and hospitality management institutes, with over 35 schools in more than 20 countries, and although traditional French culinary techniques remain at the heart of Le Cordon Bleu, the academic programmes are constantly adapted to include new, innovative technologies to meet the needs of the hospitality industry.
Their annual competition continues to act as a launchpad for culinary careers, which allows people regardless of age, location or background the chance to follow their dreams and aspirations. This gives individuals the opportunity to learn from Master Chefs from Le Cordon Bleu London and also intern under the kitchen team at CORD.
