A COLLEGE which may not seem like a Mecca for chocolate lovers became a hot bed of sweet sophistication yesterday.

William Curley, voted Best British Chocolatier for the past three years, gave a demonstration to students, staff and employers at Darlington College.

Mr Curley, 38, from East Fife, trained under Michelin-starred chefs Pierre Koffmann, Marco Pierre White and Raymond Blanc, and opened his first chocolaterie and patisserie in London five years ago.

Selling bite-sized “couture” chocolates with flavours such as thyme, honey, apricot and wasabi, he often has queues out the door at weekends.

His latest London shop offers a “Michelin-star quality” dessert for £15.