AN ACCLAIMED gastro pub has made a catering graduate head chef at just 23.

Former City College Brighton and Hove Catering student Dan Cotton has taken over the kitchen at the popular Crabtree Inn, in Lower Beeding.

Dan, one of three grand finalists in the Sussex Young Chef of the Year competition earlier this year, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for me because the management at The Crabtree are so supportive and it’s just a great business to be part of.

“The main challenge is taking on the responsibility of managing eight staff and getting my ideas across to them but we already work very well together and I’m confident that I’ll go from strength to strength in this role.”

The Crabtree has also taken on apprentice Kelly-Louise Smith, 17, as part of City College’s apprenticeship team.