STAFF at a former mill which opened only three years ago as a restaurant and hotel are celebrating after being included in this year’s Good Food Guide.

The inclusion of Tuddenham Mill, near Bury St Edmunds, in the guide comes just months after the appointment of Paul Foster as head chef.

Manager Mark O’Reilly said: “This is the first time we’ve been in the guide and it is really quite exciting.

“It has been a steady rise. I am proud. I’ve come into this role and have a very good and committed staff.”

He said most of the hotel customers come from London whilst restaurant diners tended to visit from the surrounding areas.

Describing the former mill, which was opened three years ago after major refurbishment, the Good Food Guide says: “The first-floor dining room offers huge oak beams, views across the mill pond and Paul Foster’s undoubtedly talented cooking.

“The young chef previously worked at Sat Bains in Nottingham and he brings great technical skill, flair and precision to the Tuddenham kitchen, creating visually exciting dishes that combine unusual ingredients and deliver thrilling textures and flavours.”

A spokeswoman for Agellus Hotels, which owns Tuddenham Mill, said they hoped to get the restaurant recognised as one of the top food destinations in the area.

The Agellus Hotels Group also owns The Westleton Crown – a coaching inn with an award winning restaurant near Southwold.

The group bought Tuddenham Mill in May 2005.

The Mill was built in 1775 and was operational until 1954 when it became derelict.