A THAI restaurant is preparing to expand into Leigh after becoming the only business in Southend city centre to scoop a prestigious Good Food Award this year.

Buddha Belly, based on Queens Road just off the High Street, has been recognised for its culinary excellence with a Blue Ribbon, which takes into account the venue’s food, service, value, and customer service.

This comes as the business is set to expand with a new site at the former Oaktree vegan restaurant in Leigh Road next year. 

Owner - Ben Selby (R)Owner - Ben Selby (R) and his team (Image: Buddha Belly)

Yupin Sayboot, who heads up the independent restaurant with partner Ben Selby, said: “I am quite happy about it really, it surprised me. We only started two years ago.

“We are really happy and I am really happy that I have regular customers who come back for us all the time. Some customers come back everyday, and that proves that they love our food. I want people to try real Thai food, to taste Thai.

“It pushes me more to do better. I want it so if they are talking about a Thai restaurant, they are talking about Buddha Belly.”

Good vibes - Bill says the working environment is funGood vibes - Bill says the working environment is fun (Image: Michael Robinson)

Yupin hopes to see the business expand even further in the future and said it is “a dream” of hers to one day open a location in London.Bill Bunma, 22, from Rochford, who works behind the bar, added the team were delighted their hard work paid off.

Store front - The front of Buddha Belly Thai on Queens RoadStore front - The front of Buddha Belly Thai on Queens Road (Image: Michael Robinson)

No stress - Charinga said the team are lovelyNo stress - Charinga said the team are lovely (Image: Michael Robinson)

He said: “It’s really fun working with everyone, there’s great teamwork and communication, we are laughing all the time.”Regular customer Charinga Fortis, 41, praised the venue and added its staff make you feel at home.

Delighted - Spencer and Diane AtkinsDelighted - Spencer and Diane Atkins (Image: Michael Robinson)

She said: “The warm welcome they give is unusual, it’s not like other places.

“You just come in and feel like you have released all your stress.”

Husband and wife, Spencer, 47, and Diane Atkins, 51, from Westcliff, who were visiting the restaurant for the first time, said they would definitely return.

Spencer added: “It’s the best Thai I have had in the area. The flavour is fantastic and I would recommend it.”