A GRADUATE of The Bournemouth and Poole College’s specialised chef scholarship is the first to be awarded a Michelin Star, recognised globally as an Oscar of the culinary world.

Trinity restaurant, a longstanding neighbourhood favourite based in the heart of Clapham Old Town and headed up by chef, restaurateur and Bournemouth and Poole College alumnus, Adam Byatt, has been awarded a coveted Michelin star just one month shy of its 10th anniversary.

Adam Byatt first introduced his seasonal, sustainable philosophy with the opening of Thyme in 2004. Having achieved both local and critical success with his first owned restaurant, Adam returned to Clapham Old Town with the opening of Trinity in 2006.

Following from the success of Trinity, Adam opened Bistro Union in 2011, and has recently overseen the hugely successful launch of his newest venture, Upstairs, a 2016 Bib Gourmand recipient.

First leaving home at the age of 16 to embark on his culinary career, Adam completed a coveted apprenticeship at Claridge’s, where under the teaching of John Williams MBE, he completed his Royal Academy of Culinary Arts apprenticeship, before moving on to work with Phil Howard at The Square.

Diane Grannell, principal at The Bournemouth an Poole College said: ‘‘What Adam has achieved is tremendous, and it is an honour to say that he is a graduate of The Bournemouth and Poole College.

The college and the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, in partnership with the Teflon Diamond Standard Awards, are currently offering aspiring young chefs the chance to win a place on the specialised chef scholarship for September 2017.

The awards have two categories, Keen Young Cooks, open to those aged 13-16 and also the category Aspiring Student Chefs for 16-19-year-olds.

Entries close on Tuesday November 1 and regional champions will then be invited by a team of judges, including celebrity chef Lesley Waters, to attend the Waitrose Cookery School in London for a national cook-off on Wednesday January 25 2017.

To enter the Teflon Diamond Standard Awards please visit teflondsa.co.uk/competition and for more information about the specialised chef scholarship please visit thecollege.co.uk/what-to-study/curriculum-areas/hospitality-and-catering/specialised-chefs-scholarship .