Tandem conjugate addition/alpha-alkylation of lithiated chiral alpha-amino nitriles 3 and alkyl bromides to 2-cyclohexenone afforded 2-substituted 3-aroylcyclohexanones 5 of high diastereo- and enantiomeric purity (de greater than or equal to 98 %, ee greater than or equal to 97 - greater than or equal to 99 %) and in good overall yields. The absolute configuration of the new stereogenic centres was determined by X-ray structure analysis of the Michael adduct 4c.