A CHEF has returned to the helm of his restaurant with renewed vigour after scooping a prized two rosette award from the AA in their latest guide book.

A CHEF has returned to the helm of his restaurant with renewed vigour after scooping a prized two rosette award from the AA in their latest guide book.

Pascal Pommier and his wife Jo have been running the Captain's Table, Quay Street, Woodbridge, since 1998 and they have stamped their mark in the town with a number of accolades.

But Mr Pommier admits the combination of a serious back problem he suffered for several months and a difficulty in attracting top staff affected the performance of the restaurant.

The couple briefly turned it into a day-time bistro but they have now reverted to opening again for dinner - and Mr Pommier said: ''We want to do the best we can do for Woodbridge and I am really determined to do that after the blip we suffered in the summer.''

The Captain's Table is also among a handful of restaurants in the county to have won the Michelin Bib Gourmand award, presented for serving good food at a good value.

But Mr Pommier, who has 25 years' experience of the restaurant trade, said: “No matter how many accolades you have, it is the customers that count.

“Our passion is the customers and we want to give them a meal to remember and I want to do cooking that we can be remembered for.”

The restaurant was originally three 16th century cottages and it has a 100-year-old magnolia tree and 80-year-old roses. Breads, sorbets and pastries are among the foods made on site and the couple look for the best local produce to serve. Two of their previous chefs are now working for Gordon Ramsay.