MasterChef winner Steve Groves named head chef at Roux at Parliament Square

Former MasterChef: The Professionals winner Steve Groves has been named head chef at Roux at Parliament Square in Westminster.

Groves joined the restaurant, which is part of contract caterer Compass Group's fine-dining division Restaurant Associates and in association with Michel Roux Jr, in 2010 as senior sous chef after impressing the celebrated chef during the BBC series and stepped up to his new role last month.

Prior to taking part in the TV cooking competition he was junior sous chef at D&D London's Launceston Place under head chef Tristan Welch.

Other past experience includes stages at Le Gavroche, Buckingham Palace, the Ledbury and the Greenhouse, as well as stints at Branksome Beach restaurant in Poole, which he helped take to the finals of Dorset Restaurant of the Year, and the Inn at Perry Cabin in Maryland, USA.

He takes over in the kitchen from former head chef Toby Stuart who has left to pursue new challenges.

Roux at Parliament Square is housed in a Grade II listed building designed by Alfred Waterhouse. It was opened in 2010 and has since been awarded three AA Rosettes.

Its kitchen also provides catering for internal and commercial events held at RICS at Parliament Square, the headquarters of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, situated beside the restaurant.

Steve Groves of Launceston Place wins Masterchef: The Professionals >>