The Greek and the good of Farnham have been served up a treat following a three-year odyssey by its grateful restaurant team.

Paul (Pavlos) Pyrgoudes and his chefs, Fidos and Adriana, recently held a ‘thank you’ dinner at Yiayias Kitchen to celebrate its core values and a “year of independence”.

Some of the town’s most generous and supportive figures were invited to the “exclusive complimentary evening” as organisers wanted to give something back to the local community.

Mr Pyrgoudes claimed the last three years at the Lower Bourne venue had been “really tough for everything and everyone” with the industry struggling with rising costs, the recovery from Covid, and the impact of the cost of living crisis.

But things are really heating up again at the Mediterranean hotspot so they served up a meze masterclass for people who have a made a difference locally.

“Everyone here has contributed something so a big pat on the back to you all,” said Paul during the evening.

“There’s people here from charities, to Timpsons, who people who have helped me out personally over the last three years to help me get it back to where it is.”

He added: “Tonight is about giving back to you guys that all give stuff to the community – tonight is all about you.”

The evening included a complimentary three-course meal, drinks and entertainment with cries of “Opa” reverberating around the room during a belly dance performance.

Farnham town crier, Michael Stephens, also made an appearance and rang the bell to herald Paul’s speech.

Meanwhile, new parking restrictions have been introduced with genuine visitors asked to enter their vehicle details on a screen at the bar. The move reputedly follows frustrations about the use of the venue’s car park during school drop-off and pick-up times, with unauthorised users now liable for fines.