Cardiff is buzzing with pride as aspiring chef Luke Dorning has landed a coveted spot in the semi-finals of Le Cordon Bleu London’s prestigious 2025 Scholarship competition! Luke is now one of just 32 hopefuls from across the UK in the running for a truly transformative £90,000 culinary prize.
This is a massive opportunity for the local talent, as the renowned Le Cordon Bleu, a name synonymous with culinary excellence for over a century, has expanded this year’s scholarship package in celebration of its 130th Anniversary.
Luke, hailing from South Wales, will face an intense couple of days at Le Cordon Bleu London on Monday, July 7th and Tuesday, July 8th. During the semi-finals, competitors will tackle a challenging sensory test and undergo an interview with an expert panel. This panel is no ordinary group – it comprises leading chefs, key figures from the hospitality industry, and Le Cordon Bleu specialists.
The stakes are incredibly high, as the grand prize winner will receive:
- A full scholarship to study the globally recognised Grand Diplôme® (combining Diplôme de Cuisine and Diplôme de Pâtisserie).
- A three-month internship at CORD by Le Cordon Bleu Restaurant for invaluable hands-on experience.
- Mentoring from industry titans, including celebrated chefs Michel Roux Jr. and Chris Galvin.
- 12 months of accommodation in London, generously provided by Londonist.
- An overnight stay at The Savoy.
In a new development for 2025, two runners-up will also receive significant prizes, further cementing Le Cordon Bleu’s dedication to fostering new talent.
“This year’s competition marks a major milestone for Le Cordon Bleu, and the level of talent we’ve seen has been nothing short of inspiring,” said Emil Minev, Culinary Arts Director at Le Cordon Bleu London. “We are thrilled to welcome our semi-finalists to the next stage and look forward to an exciting semi-final.”
Last year’s winner, 18-year-old Caoimhe O’Neill-McGuinness, described her win as “life changing,” highlighting the immense impact this scholarship can have on an aspiring chef’s career.
All of Cardiff will be rooting for Luke as the finalists are set to be announced later in July, with the grand final taking place in September at CORD restaurant in the City of London.
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