Leap Year surprise at Cafe Belge for Chloe

Chloe van den Bush, daughter of Cafe Belge restaurant chain boss Gary Bush, was going about her business last Friday evening.

The Bexhill Marina restaurant was packed for a special Leap Year Day promotion. But, between them, Chloe's Dad and head chef Mike Veevers had been cooking up a suprise dish.

Without warning, personal drama unfolded as Mike, 23, emerged from the kitchen - a man on a mission....

Chloe explained later: "It was SO embarrassing....

"I was serving at one of the tables when suddenly my Dad announced 'Can I have everyone's attention, please!'

"Then Mike came out with a ring and got down on one knee in front of me.

"He said 'Would you do me the greatest honour of becoming my wife?'"

Wearing her new diamond solitaire and platinum engagement ring as she worked in the restaurant on Saturday morning, Chloe, 21, said: "I said 'Yes.'"

Asked if she had said anything more, she said: "Just 'Yes...' I was so taken aback."

Chloe and Mike's love story began two and a half years ago.

Chloe said: "We had met about a month before he began working here. My dad taught him to cook. He's now a fully trained chef and our head chef here.

"We have bought a flat just round the corner in Sea Road. We had talked about marriage '“ but I was not aware that he was going to propose to me.

"And certainly not like that in front of everyone."

Asked how she felt about the surprise sprung on her by her fiance and her father, Chloe said: "It was very nice. Someone at one table said to me 'He's made an excellent choice..'

"Dad gave everyone in the whole restaurant a glass of champagne. There must have been 45 people in here."