Staff and management at Finch House Café in Tonbridge are celebrating after the company gained a countywide tourism and hospitality accolade.
Director Daron Goldfinch believes the Kent Excellence In Business Award (KEIBA) is a testament to the efforts of his team over the past few years.
As previously reported in the Times, the business won praise for its work within the community including giving unsold food to the homelessness charity Porchlight.
The company, which employs a total of 35 people at its two sites, has also just appointed its first apprentice to its Tonbridge café – which was also noted by award judges.
After the presentation of the award at the County Showground at Detling, Mr Goldfinch said: “This is a huge thing for us as it will lift our profile and is recognition for all the hard work that staff have put in to the business.
“The connection we have built with Porchlight is working very well as well, and we’ve pushed to create an apprenticeship scheme which means we will have two new people in the company.
“Gaining the award meant a lot, having previously twice been runners-up. We have worked hard on customer service and are part of a mystery shopper scheme looking at every aspect of the business – with staff that are mentioned in the fortnightly reports gaining £25 vouchers, which gives them something to work towards and make us the best that we can be.”