IT took eating more than 300 burgers before she got her own recipe quite right.

But Kirsty Adams is doing what for many would be a dream job - travelling the world tasting food in order to develop the "best ever burger".

The 29-year-old took her favourite school subject, Home Economics, and turned it into the chance to source ingredients for M&S's famous dishes.

Kirsty said: “I’ve always had a real passion for food and I feel lucky to be able to do what I love every day.

"I’m honoured to have had the chance to develop the Our Best Ever Burger."

Kirsty’s passion for food started in school where her favourite subject was Home Economics.

She then decided to study Food Bioscience at Glasgow Caledonian University.

After finishing university and working for local Scottish food supplier, Halls, Kirsty realised she more interested in the creative side of food development and secured a role at Bakkavor in West Lothian, one of M&S’ key suppliers in Scotland.

In March last year Kirsty was offered a coveted position as Meat Product Developer at M&S at just 28 years old.

Since starting, she has been involved in developing various products such as the retailer’s boozy bangers and Smoked Pork Shoulder with BBQ Sauce, but her biggest project so far has been developing M&S’ Our Best Ever Burger.

Over the last year, she has travelled the length and breadth of the UK and flown to New York to sample more than 300 different burgers, eventually finding the one that inspired her the most in Brooklyn.

Kirsty returned from her trip and headed to Scotland to work with M&S supplier Scotbeef to identify the ingredients to make the Our Best Ever Burger.

It took more than a year to develop with Kirsty finding the right cuts of beef, including chuck steak and short rib, before adding a hint of bone marrow for extra flavour.

M&S bosses say it is the only retailer in the UK that can trace its beef back to not only the farm, but the animal it came from.

Kirsty added: "As well as being able to travel the world tasting different burgers, I love that the products I have helped develop are being enjoyed by families across Scotland and the UK every day.

“I hope that my story inspires other young people who are considering a career in food development and allows them to see that there are some amazing opportunities out there.”

Kirsty shares her favourite M&S beef products to enjoy this summer:

Our Best Ever Burger

£3.50 for 2, 340g

Kirsty said: “I travelled far and wide to develop Our Best Ever Burger, even to Brooklyn in New York where we found our flavour inspiration.

"We’ve crafted this burger using only the best cuts of beef and also added a hint of bone marrow for extra succulence.”

Stout Glazed Salt Beef

£6, 414g

Kirsty said: “Our Stout Glazed Salt Beef, cured and slow cooked for succulence, makes for a delicious sandwich filling served with a zesty piccalilli dressing or a great alternative at a family BBQ.”

Smoked Beef Rump

£20, 1,200g

Kirsty said: “The Smoked Beef Rump is a different take on the Sunday Roast.

"Lightly smoked over English oak chips and served with a salsa verde dressing, it’s delicious with a side of salad when it’s too warm for all of the traditional trimmings.”