A FORMER hospitality and catering student at Selby College has been announced as the joint-winner of a top culinary competition.

As part of the Koppert Cress ‘Sechuan Button Challenge’, chefs were tasked with creating a dish surrounding the edible flower Sechuan button, which adds a ‘tingle with a champagne-like sensation’.

Due to the high standard of entries, Kurtus Auty, formerly of Selby College, was awarded joint-first place alongside Darren Creed, a curriculum manager at Loughborough College.

Kurtus, 23, from Selby, carefully crafted his winning dish with the help of Adrian Dawes, the subject leader in hospitality and catering at Selby College and Kurtus’ former tutor, which included rum Baba, infused poached rhubarb, Sechuan button custard ice cream, Sechuan button tuille and a rhubarb infused Sechuan button cocktail.

“The use of Sechuan button in the dish meant that I had to think outside of the box and create something which was truly unique and special. I love experimenting with different flavours, so I thoroughly enjoyed designing the dish and really appreciated my former tutor Adrian’s support, guidance and ideas in the process,” said Kurtus.

“I would like to say a big thank you to Koppert Cress and Skills for Chefs for organising such a fantastic competition and a massive well done to all of the other competitors who took part, especially Darren Creed.”