A young chef killed in a road accident has been described by his boss as a "smiley lad, full of jokes" who was committed to his job.
Zach Whittall, 21, was on his way home from working at the Olive Branch in Clipsham, Rutland, when he was killed in the crash.
He was a passenger in a car that was involved in a collision with another vehicle before crashing into a tree.
The incident happened at about 11pm on Tuesday.
For the past year Zach had been a junior member of the kitchen staff at the successful Olive Branch, which was named the 2014 UK Pub of the Year by the Good Pub Guide.
The pub remained closed on Wednesday as the staff learned about the tragedy.
The co-owner of the restaurant, Ben Jones, said Zach had become a popular member of the team.
He said: "It was just over a year that he was working here and he fitted in really quickly with the team and got on well with them all.
"He was the junior chef in the kitchen and he was like the apprentice on the team and everyone spent time teaching him things."
Ben said Zach always gave 100 per cent and was committed to improving his skills.
He said: "The kitchen works split shifts but, instead of going home in the afternoons, Zach would often stay and try new things in the kitchen or read recipes for new ideas.
"It's a terrible loss. He was a very smiley lad, full of jokes and a very cheerful character."
Zach, who lived in Great Oxendon, Northamptonshire, was a passenger in the black Vauxhall Corsa, which came off Clipsham Road in Stretton, Rutland on Tuesday night.
He was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash and the driver of the car was taken to Peterborough City Hospital with serious injuries.
A light grey Vauxhall Astra estate was travelling in the same direction at the same time and the two cars had collided before the Corsa crashed into the three. The driver in the Astra was not injured.
A 24-year-old man was arrested after the crash and has been bailed.
Police are appealing for information from any witnesses who saw the vehicles before the crash happened.
Detective Constable Pete Davies is investigating the incident.
He said: "Both vehicles were travelling along Clipsham Road towards Stretton when the Corsa left the road and collided with a tree.
"We would like to speak to anyone who was travelling along this road yesterday evening to contact us if they saw either vehicle beforehand or witnessed the actual collision."
Witnesses are asked to call 101 quoting incident 689 of August 19.
