THE road to recognition has been a rapid one for Tristan Dooley – but not without its bumps.

Under his ownership, Hells Kitchen in Gardner Street, Brighton, has risen to national acknowledgement as the top independent sandwich retailer in the country.

But it may have taken Tristan a bit longer to reach his goal, had it not been for serendipity.

A chef by trade, the 41-year-old was working as a cooking teacher at City College (now Brighton Metropolitan) but he was out of a job in 2014 – perfect timing to take over his dream business.

“I had been a customer of Hells Kitchen since I arrived in Brighton in 2005,” Tristan said.

“I worked for Orrery, a Michelin Star restaurant, but wanted a little chill out after working in London.

“I looked at getting a job in Hells Kitchen, but my skills were a bit above it at the time.

“I said to the owner, ‘if you consider selling, please keep me in mind’. That was in about 2006.

“I had been teaching at City College, but there was a restructuring process there so I finished in January 2014.”

The rest, as they say, was history.

“I had no job and a baby on the way as my wife was pregnant,” Tristan said.

“Then I popped in for a sandwich and the owner said he was ready to sell.

“It was perfect timing.”

Tristan has been shaping the deli in his image, originally working under the previous owner as he got to grips with running his first business.

New York-inspired Hells Kitchen was established in 1951, and began as a family-run shop.

The people of Brighton, Tristan said, knew what to expect when they popped in for a sandwich so he could not change the concept overnight.

But his vision has proved a success, as Hells Kitchen has now scooped gold in the independent sandwich retailer at this year’s British Sandwich and Food To Go Association (the trade association) Sammies Awards.

Once the deli was earmarked as a candidate, a mystery shopper was sent in to test the waters.

And Hells Kitchen was certainly up to scratch.

It scored highly for hygiene, service and other aspects of the business.

“It’s amazing to receive the award,” said Tristan.

“It’s a massive accolade.

“It gives us recognition for the efforts that we have put into the business.

“It’s great that someone has recognised what we do and like our concept.”

Tristan said he is open to offers of investment in his business as he looks to continue expanding.

One of Hells Kitchen’s seven Deadly Sandwiches may be able to tempt them, or a Saintly Salad sway their minds.

The judges were certainly taken aback.

When giving their verdict on Hells Kitchen, they said: “What an amazing place.

“Absolutely worthy of the award.

“The quality and combination of the ingredients in their sandwiches is superb and the product knowledge and enthusiasm of their staff was greatly appreciated.

“Scored maximum points on our marking system.”