RESTAURATEUR Rufus Thurston has promised to celebrate with diners after Oli’s Thai in Oxford picked up top national awards.

The second annual Food Awards England has celebrated the achievements of food establishments across the country and Oli’s Thai was named twice.

The restaurant in Magdalen Road, East Oxford, has won top reviews and it can take months to get a table.

Mr Thurston, 39, and wife Ladd, 37, opened the Thai restaurant in August 2013 and it has proved popular ever since.

Oli’s Thai was named overall winner of the Best Oriental Establishment, and winner of Best Oriental Establishment (South).

Mr Thurston, who lives with his Thai-born wife, son Oli, six, and daughter Elle, four, said: “I’m amazed we have picked up these awards and we will tell our customers about it.

“It’s just a small restaurant with five tables and 25 covers but it’s very popular – we are booked up three months ahead.

“It’s very good food in an informal setting. The confit duck Panang curry, which costs £12, is the most expensive dish we do.

“We only do one pudding which is a Portuguese custard tart for £2.50 and our most expensive starter is £6.50, so a visit here is not going to break the bank.”

Mr Thurston added that the awards were “a nice bonus, a nice perk and great recognition” and said he would try to remain “quite grounded” following the accolade.

He said: “It’s a tiny place, a neighbourhood restaurant, but we have great support from residents – we see a lot of the same people returning.”

Mr Thurston said he and his wife met in the late 1990s when they were both working for the Chiang Mai Kitchen restaurant in High Street, Oxford.

He added: “We met at the Chiang Mai, and then we got married in 2003.

“Ladd was born in Thailand but she came over to England when she was nine.”

Following an awards ceremony in Manchester on Sunday, spokesman Irfan Younis said: “We hope the public and the nominees continue to support this hard-working and thriving industry.

“We would like to congratulate all the winners and all the finalists who truly had tough competition this year.”

There were 25 accolades and other restaurants in Oxfordshire were also praised.

Best Italian Establishment (South) went to Mamma Mia, Oxford, while The Kingham Plough, near Chipping Norton, was Gastro Pub of the Year.

The Caterer of the Year award (South) went to Oxford Fine Dining Ltd, and the Restaurant of the Year, South, award was given to The Oxford Kitchen.

Reg’s Café in Banbury picked up the Café/Bistro of the Year (South) award.