We deeply congratulate the Head Chef, Kenneth Culhane, in Dysart Petersham, who has been elected unanimously to membership of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, adding to his many career achievements that include winning the Roux Scholarship in 2010, winning a Michelin Star in 2020 (and retaining it thereafter), and 3 AA Rosettes in 2021.

Ken said on receiving this invitation: “This is an honour and great recognition. It means a lot to me. I plan to take full advantage of the benefits of participation in this group of exciting minds and vast experience, promoting some values dear to me and to The Dysart Petersham, which are assuming greater significance as every day passes:

• The overriding importance to flavour and health of the quality and care of what goes into the earth and food

• The importance of supporting the small, passionate, suppliers who have quietly made so much difference to choice, diet, the preservation of traditions and old, tried and tested ways of looking after the earth and nature – and quite unintentionally to driving the agenda for change

• Sustainability, increasingly and urgently more important than ever

• The importance of children in school having a grounded introduction to these values

• That such grounding should and can be inspirational, exciting and fun to help bring about generational change

• That cooking is a joy, brings us into contact with nature, is a focus for living, can be one of the simplest pleasures.“

Well done Chef! Congratulations all Dysart team!