Mia Sutcliffe Young, Country Fried, Ribble Valley, Lancashire

Job title: Counter assistant

Age: 18

Nominated by: Business owner Simon Mathews, who says: “Mia consistently goes above and beyond in her role, particularly in the way she looks after our customers. At just 18, she has already shown outstanding reliability, maturity and a strong work ethic. She is always friendly, approachable and professional, creating a positive experience for every customer she serves. She is a pleasure to work with and a true unsung hero within our team.”

How long have you worked at Country Fried?

I have worked at Country Fried on a part-time basis for two and a half years. My family used to visit the van for our chippy tea when they were in my local village, which is how I came to know Simon. I have had on the job training and also food hygiene, allergen training and fire safety training.

What are your responsibilities?

I serve customers at village locations and private events, assisting with the setup and clean-down, maintaining cleanliness and food hygiene standards. I also upsell menu items and carry out leaflet drops to support our local marketing.

What’s your favourite part of the job?

Working with Simon as he makes the job fun, and the interactions with customers, knowing I’ve possibly made their day. Most of all, though, it’s the free food!

What’s the least favourite part of the job?

When it’s absolutely manic and everything that can go wrong goes wrong, but we manage to survive.

What do you like about working at Country Fried?

It doesn’t really feel like a job but more like having a laugh with a friend, and the time goes so quickly when I’m working.

How do you feel about being nominated as an unsung hero?

I’m quite shocked, to be honest. I just turn up, do my job and go home. I don’t really go over the top or do anything special to deserve this award.