FORMER chef graduate Sven-Hanson Britt returned to Bournemouth and Poole College in triumph this week after his star-studded performance on BBC’s Masterchef: The Professionals series.

Sven was runner-up in the nationwide prime time TV contest which drew an estimated 1m viewers.

He returned for lunch at The Escoffier restaurant, the college’s award-winning training restaurant, and caught up with lecturers and old pals like senior chef lecturers, David Boland and Tony Groves who helped him take his first steps in the kitchen.

Sven left the college five years ago after graduating from the college’s specialised chef’s scholarship and has since worked at the world famous hotel, The Ritz in London.

He is currently taking time out to decide where his career will take him next. Sven said: “Masterchef has really opened doors for me and I’ve learned so much about myself but this is the place where it all began for me, and I have great memories.”

“The trip to San Sebastian in Spain, which was a feature of the show, was especially useful. I learned a lot.”

Although Sven was pipped at the post, some viewers said they thought he deserved to win the title.

Tony Groves, one of the college’s senior chef lecturers said: “It is great to see Sven back here in the larder at The Escoffier where it all began. We are proud of his achievements so far and we’re sure he can go on to even greater success.”