A FAMILY restaurant in Cwmbran is top of the pots after achieving an excellent score in a national kitchen quality awards scheme.

The Brewsters Ashbridge, on Avondale Road, Pontrhydyrun, made the grade in the scheme operated by the family restaurant chain.

To ensure standards are maintained at a high level the chain runs an award scheme every six months to test the kitchen standards of each of its 142 restaurants nationwide. The auditor monitors all aspects of the business, from delivery, storage and handling of food to the presentation of a dish before it reaches the customer. The slightest mistake, and the restaurant being checked loses points.

The inspections form part of Brewster's ongoing kitchen standards programme called Kitchens of Excellence.

The Ashbridge scored more than 90 per cent in the inspection.

Beryl Jones, manager of the Ashbridge, said: "I am thrilled that we have achieved such a high score. It is a credit to all our team members who have worked hard to maintain the highest standards throughout the kitchen. Our kitchen teams are often the unsung heroes of the restaurant, and this award recognises their achievements."

* Pictured: The Ashbridge's winning team, from left, supervisor Wendy Jones, chef Andrew Gorman, manager Beryl Jones and chef Jon McMail