A RESTAURANT boss says he's pleased to have been in running for two awards at an Essex awards event.

The Chophouse in New Street, Braintree, was nominated for the prizes at the Essex Food and Drink Awards 2018.

And while it didn't manage to win the customer service award or the chef of the year award for Richard Cutting, boss Rob Ely said he was still happy.

Mr Ely said: "We went along thinking we might nab one of them so it's slightly disappointing but we've still had a great year.

"Some of the chefs Richard was up against are brilliant chefs so obviously we're doing a good job."