A commis chef from the Chewton Glen hotel in New Milton was among 18 outstanding young students graduating from an elite course.

The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Bournemouth and Poole College Specialised Chef graduation ceremony took place at the Langham Hotel in London.

Kieran Gilbert of the Chewton Glen was among those receiving awards from TV chef Brian Turner.

The specialised chef course is higher education’s leading ‘benchmark’ for chefs’ apprenticeships. Graduates have spent three years training at college and in commercial premises.

Kieran, originally from Newbury, started the scholarship when he was 16 and was placed at Chewton Glen under mentor executive head chef Luke Matthews, who has supported the course since it was founded. More than 350 apprentices have graduated from the course since 1989 and are working around the world.

Chewton Glen managing director Andrew Stembridge, who attended the ceremony with Kieran, said: “We are extremely proud at Chewton Glen to have supported this unique programme since its creation a quarter of a century ago.

“Several of the country’s most talented and renowned chefs have graduated as specialist chefs and it is undoubtedly the best scheme of its kind in the country.”