STAFF at a restaurant in one of Colchester’s idyllic villages are celebrating after being named the Young Restaurant Team of the Year.

Chefs Martin Lane and Jamie Mallett and waiter Jack Butler work at the restaurant at Stoke by Nayland Hotel Golf & Spa.

The trio, all 21, picked up the award at the Skills for Chefs conference.

The team also picked up the Best Menu award after putting together their best Eastern Mediterranean cuisine for the judges, including grilled red mullet fillet, a cutlet of Nedging lamb and dark chocolate and aleppo pepper dome.

Alan Paton, executive head chef at the restaurant, said: “I am really proud of what this young team has achieved.

“They have worked extremely hard to win this award and it is testament to their enthusiasm and dedication to providing excellent food and service to our customers.”