A Sutton restaurateur cleaned up at the South London Business awards last week, scooping the top prize during the annual ceremony.

Malcolm John cooked up a winning formula with his Sutton-based Brasserie Vacherin and Croydon restaurants Le Cassoulet and Fish and Grill and ended the night clutching the entrepreneur of the year award.

MrJohn, whose company was also shortlisted for best new business and best medium sized business, said: “I wanted to bring a little of the West to Croydon and I have done this with Le Cassoulet and then Fish and Grill.

“This award means a lot to me and to my employees and I would like to say well done to all the other winners here tonight.”

Neighbouring Croydon also did particularly well at the event with undertaker Rowland Brothers International (RBI) crowned business of the year and best medium sized business, while four other companies from the borough triumphed in the remaining 10 categories.

The borough’s other successes were for Croydon Business Venture in the best business for customer service category, ITC concepts for best business for sustainability, and SLE for best businesses for international trade.

Best small business, which was sponsored by the Croydon Guardian’s parent company Newsquest South London, was claimed by property management company Chainbow.

RBI director Tony Rowland, whose family firm has been helping bereaved families in the borough for 150 years, said he was excited and proud of the company taking home its fifth award in two years.

He said: “I would like to thank everyone in our team for their good work. This spurs us on to even greater achievements.

“I am excited, and as an undertaker you don’t get too much excitement.”

More than 500 guests attended the Oscars-style ceremony in a lavish marquee on the pitch at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park stadium, all in eager anticipation of their firm doing well.

South London Business chief executive Peter Pledger said: “We organise these awards because we are committed to business. By celebrating success we can generate it.

“All of you are helping bring South London out of recession, so thank you all.”