A takeaway boss says he is “over the moon” after seeing his kebab house scoop a five-star food hygiene rating - just months after inspectors found mould lacing its freezer.

Cappadocia Kebab House in Station Road, Ashford has been given the new score following a visit from safety officers at Ashford Borough Council (ABC).

Inspectors described the establishment as having “a clean and well-managed kitchen” during the visit on April 24.

It led to the site being given top marks for its food handling, cleanliness and condition of facilities and building, plus management of food safety.

The “very good” rating is the highest grade which can be given to a business from the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

Cappadocia is named after the region of Turkey famous for scenic hot-air balloon trips.

As well as offering the likes of chicken and lamb kebabs, it also has burgers and rice specials on its menu.

Owner Serkan Gungor, who has lived in the town for five years, says he never doubted the potential of the business.

The 39-year-old said: “I have a lot of pressure on my shoulders, so I’m over the moon with the rating.

“I always want people to leave my business happy and satisfied.

“Most businesses are struggling though right now because of huge demands.

“So for me, it’s about improving and getting the rating back to where we belong.

“There’s just three of us here - myself, our chef and our delivery driver.

“We also hope to offer some seating in the future for five or six people, so we have some good plans.”

The rating completes a remarkable turnaround for Mr Gungor, who has worked in the catering industry for about 20 years.

Back in January, Cappadocia, which converted to a takeaway in October having previously been a sit-down Turkish restaurant, was slapped with a one-star food hygiene rating.

It came after staff were found to be basting high-risk meat with paint brushes, serving out-of-date food and failing to clean a mouldy freezer.

Hygiene inspectors also found workers were insufficiently trained to ensure food was safely cooked, before warning bosses to shape up quickly following their January 10 probe.

Documents issued to KentOnline about the inspection read: “Your staff are not properly supervised or trained to ensure the food you produce is safe – ensure all equipment used is safe for use in food.

“You must ensure your food safety management system covers all activities within your business and protects food from contamination.”

Some items had been left to defrost in the fridge for more than five days, with inspectors having to warn the takeaway it needed to dispose of unsafe food and keep produce within a safe temperature range.

Prior to the winter, Cappadocia was awarded another five-star rating last year.

The site next to Papa John's and just metres away from Ashford International station, was occupied by The Kent Arms pub for more than 50 years, which Greene King took over and renamed the Fat Fiddler in the early 1990s.

In 2011, it was then converted into the Ashford Business Centre and a wine bar called Platform 5.

The Breeze Bar then took over but moved out in 2017 after spending less than a year in the building.

It was then vacant until 2019 until Mr Gungor and his brother opened Otto Bar and Shisha Lounge.

However, the pair decided to redesign the business after issues with ABC regarding outside space.