Alex Lewis, sous chef of The Belmond Britannic Explorer, wins the 2025 William Heptinstall Scholarship.

Alex Lewis has an exciting year ahead of him with the newly launched Britannic Explorer about to embark on its first journey in July. The dining experience aboard is designed by award-winning restaurateur Simon Rogan and the menus will be delivered by executive chef Sven Hanson-Britt and Alex Lewis operating two chef teams - celebrating seasonal, sustainable ingredients, sourced locally to showcase the richness of Britain’s diverse regions and the routes that the train will take.

Alex Lewis, sous chef of The Belmond Britannic Explorer

Having worked with Hanson-Britt at Oxeye, sous chef Lewis has an impressive CV having trained under Pierre Gagnaire at Sketch and more recently Native in Worcestershire, Oxeye in London and Birch in Hertfordshire.

The William Heptinstall Memorial Fund (a charitable Trust) was established in 1972 and for over 50 years it has given scholarships to enable young chefs to widen their knowledge of the craft through overseas travel and study. The overall William Heptinstall Scholarship prize includes £4,500 from the William Heptinstall Memorial Trust for travel and £500 towards wine education donated by the family of John Avery MW.

The scholarship is designed to allow the recipient to fully experience the cuisine of the area to be visited, while undertaking an overseas stage or stages.

Lewis will use his scholarship to further explore how to deliver exceptional dining experiences and intends to reach out to Table Bruno Verjus and Le Clarence in Paris and Steirereck in Vienna. He also plans to organise a charcuterie course in Italy and visit cheese producers and Champagne vineyards whilst in France.

Lewis said: “Having trained under Pierre Gagnaire in London, it has always been my goal to go to Paris and further my training. I hope to do two stages in Paris, at two or three Michelin-starred establishments.

It is incredible to be acknowledged by the industry giants who were on the judging panel and to have the opportunity to further explore my passion for my craft.”

Heptinstall, who died in 1971, was a well-known British chef. He was patron of Fortingall Hotel in Glen Lyon, Perthshire, Scotland, a haven for lovers of good food and especially famous for its Sunday hors d'oeuvre table. While he took immense pride in British food, he was also deeply interested in European gastronomic traditions. He travelled extensively and worked for a time in Imperial Russia.

The judges of the William Heptinstall award are John Williams MBE, executive chef of The Ritz London, and Trustee of the William Heptinstall Memorial Fund, John Nicholas, chair and Trustee of the William Heptinstall Memorial Fund, Malcolm Gilbert, treasurer and Trustee of the William Heptinstall Memorial Fund, Simon Fooks, former Managing Director, Merchant Taylors' Catering, Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Cooks and Officer of the Trust, Lisa Jenkins, CEO of The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts and Officer of the Trust and Mimi Avery, Brand Ambassador for Avery Wines (an independent business of the Laithwaites Group).