News


Leon MD steps down as Asda takes ownership The supermarket chain intends to introduce the Leon brand into its stores


By Sophie Witts and Victoria Miller


Asda has taken ownership of the Leon restaurant chain as part of a £2b deal to acquire the majority of its sister company EG Group’s UK business. The supermarket giant said


it would look to introduce the Leon brand into its stores as part of a move into the food- service market. Some 462 Greggs, Burger


King and Subway restaurants run under franchise will also transfer to Asda’s ownership as part of the sale. The deal was announced in


May and completed on 31 October. Following the announce-


ment, Leon confirmed its man- aging director Glenn Edwards has stepped down from his role with immediate effect. Edwards, who has been with


the business for over 12 years, is leaving to take on a chief operat- ing officer role within the beauty sector later this month. In his place, Leon has appointed Ashley Davis as interim managing director of the company. Davis has been with Leon since 2019 and will


Leon was founded by John Vincent, Henry Dimbleby and Allegra McEvedy in 2004 in London


continue in her role as gro- cery managing director at the same time. Asda and petrol forecourt operator EG Group are both owned by the billionaire Issa brothers and private equity group TDR Capital. Proceeds of the sale will be used to help repay EG's debts and


fuel its ongoing international expansion. The deal will see EG retain ownership of the Cooplands bakery chain, which it bought in 2021, and franchise businesses with Starbucks, KFC, Sbarro, Chaiiwala and Cinnabon. Asda said the deal would cre- ate a combined group with rev-


enues of nearly £28b, serving 21 million customers a week. EG acquired Leon, which


was founded by John Vincent, Henry Dimbleby and Allegra McEvedy, in 2021 and has since opened several drive-through locations under the brand.


news@thecaterer.com


Roux Scholarship opens for entries as it celebrates 40th year An honorary president of


The Roux Scholarship 2024 has opened for entries as the com- petition prepares to mark its 40th anniversary. This year will see Emily Roux,


chef patron of Caractère in Not- ting Hill, join the judging panel and board of directors. The competition was founded


by Michel Sr and Albert Roux in 1983 and is now led by their sons Alain Roux and Michel Roux, who is Emily’s father. The 2024 competition's final


will be held at the Alain Roux Culinary School at the Water- side Inn, in Bray Berkshire, for the first time. Alain said: "The 2024 final


will feel like a homecoming! We are literally bringing the Roux Scholarship home... to my father's home and I could not be happier.


4 | The Caterer | 10 November 2023 "There can be no better trib-


ute, as we look to celebrate 40 years since the founding of the scholarship by my father and uncle. The legacy of which he was most proud is the Roux Scholarship. Next year, in his own kitchen, we will choose our new scholar to join the family." Entrants to the 2024 compe-


tition have been tasked with creating a recipe for four people using short loin of free-range gilt pork from the shoulder end, weighing anywhere between 1.6kg and 1.8kg, untrimmed with four bones in. The dish must also use two


fresh pork kidneys plated with crackling and two simple or composed garnishes, one of which must include sweet pota- toes. Dishes must be accompa- nied by a sauce.


Emily will join existing


judges Brian Turner, Sat Bains (scholar 1999), André Garrett (scholar 2002), Simon Hulstone (scholar 2003), James Martin, Clare Smyth, Rachel Hum- phrey and Angela Hartnett.


judges will be announced in due course. Entrants have until midnight


on Monday 22 January 2024 to submit their recipes via the online application system.


Ten previous Roux Scholars went on a gastronomical trip to Sweden www.thecaterer.com


JODI HINDS PHOTOGRAPHY


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