HEARTFELT tributes have been paid to a popular Grimsby-area chef, who was killed in a car crash.
Thomas Drewery, 21, was driving on the B2110, near Horsham in West Sussex, when his grey Ford Focus collided with a tree and ended up in a field.
Colleagues at the restaurant where he had worked for more than two years paid tribute to their fellow chef.
He had been travelling back to his home in Horsham from work shortly after midnight on Friday.
The collision happened around 12.30am.
Tragically his car was not found until 11.20am when West Sussex Police were alerted to the single-vehicle collision.
Marc Dorney, sales manager at South Lodge Hotel, Horsham, where Thomas had worked for more than two years, said: "He had made a life for himself here. We are all absolutely shocked and just taking each day at a time.
"He was such a lovely boy and a fantastic chef with cracking potential.
"He started as a commis chef and was quickly promoted to demi chef. He had all he needed to be a full chef and executive chef.
"All the team are shocked. They are like brothers and call themselves the brigade of chefs.
"For them it is like losing a family member. He was always polite and focussed in whatever task he was doing."
The restaurant and hotel staff are planning a memorial event.
Thomas trained at Grimsby Institute where he was supervised by catering instructor Mark Berney.
He said: "I was Tom's tutor when he started college and very shortly after him starting you could see that Tom was naturally talented."
He added: "Tom was a very good student and his ambition was to become a Michelin starred chef. He was very focused on what he wanted to do and when he left college he started work at a Michelin starred restaurant.
"I will remember Tom for his drive, ambition and focus on what he wanted to achieve, but I will also remember him when he started at college as a shy, quiet young man who came out of his shell and became somebody who threw himself into everything.
"He was a great person who will be missed by everyone that knew him. I am proud to say I taught Tom and he became a very good friend who I shall miss very much."
As reported, his family said in tribute: "Thomas touched everyone's hearts and will be very much missed."
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