Asian Curry Awards 2015 Winners Announced

Leading Asian restaurateurs, VIPs and embassy dignitaries gathered for a glittering gala dinner at the London Hilton to honour the winners of Asian Curry Awards 2015 on Sunday 15th November. The awards are a joint venture organised by the Federation of Bangladeshi Caterers and the Asian Catering Federation.

Designed to recognise excellence in the Asian catering industry, the awards encourage positive competition towards ever higher standards in the industry,

The event was hosted by TV presenter and Strictly Come Dancing winner, Natasha Kaplinsky.

The evening's entertainment included the spectacular Shaimak dance troupe and the renowned musician Shahid Abbas Khan. Guests were treated to an exquisite menu from the award-winning caterers, Madhu's.

In his keynote speech, Asian Curry Awards' Chairman Yawar Khan described the event as a “truly is a momentous occasion” and reported that this year's awards had attracted record numbers of public nominations.

Standing in for Pat Chapman, editor of the Cobra Good Curry Guide and chairman of the awards' judging panel, who was unable to attend, fellow judge George Shaw reported “a strong industry trend towards more high quality, authentic, regional dishes, with a modern gastronomic twist and healthier, light options on menus.”

The top award for Best South Asian Restaurant (Central London)went to Vivek Singh's Cinnamon Club, which reopened this year following a £1 million refit. Singh had to see off strong competition for the award whose short list included Cyrus Todiwala's Café Spice Namaste and the Michelin starred Tamarind and Quilon restaurants.

Regional awards for Best South Asian Restaurant were presented to:Babur (London Suburbs), Shozna in Rochester (South East), Bay Leaf in Bristol (South West), India Summer in Brighton (South Coast), Royal Tandoori, Colby (East Midlands), Ramadan,Curdworth (West Midlands), The Days of the Raj, Newcastle (North East), Royal Nawaab in Manchester (North West), Valley Connection (East of England), Aagrah Restaurant in Sheffield(Yorkshire), Purple Poppadom in Cardiff (Wales), The Light of Bengal (Scotland), Babur (London Suburbs); Valley Connection, Bury St Edmunds (East of England), Bayleaf, Bristol (South West), Purple Poppadom, Cardiff (Wales). Raj Bari in Yarm (North East)was Highly Commended.

Regional Best Newcomer Awards went to: Royal Nawaab in Perivale(London), Curry Leaf Café in Brighton (SouthCoast), The Don in Welwyn (South East), Nurjeena in Southgate (London). East ofEngland

Shabir Hussain of Aakbar's in Bradford was named Curry Champion 2015.

Frank Khalid owner of wholesaler Elbrook and Sabir Hussain, Akbar or Akbar won the Life Time Achievement Award for their charity works.

Best Take Away awards went to: Alishan Tandoori in Camberley(South East), K2 in Wimbledon (London Suburbs), Curry PotinDunfermline (Scotland), Taj Cuisine in Lower Stoke (South East).

The accolades for Best Thai went to Giggling Squid in Bristol (South West and Lemongrass in Crawley (South East).

Best Malaysian was Ning in Manchester; Best Japanese - Poppy Hana (London); Best Singaporean; SingaporeGarden; Best Indonesian -Wrung Tuijuh; Best Sri Lankan - Ayubowan; Best Chinese - Sanxia Renjia.

Best International Cuisine went to Chez Mumtaj in St Albans.

Best Newcomer winners were: Navadhanya in Cambridge (East ofEngland; The Don Restaurant, Welwyn Garden City (South East); Nurjenna, Southgate (London); Royal Nawaab, Wembley (LondonSuburbs); Navadhanya, Cambridge (East of England); Urban Tandoori, Bristol (South West).

Chef Awards went to –Jiwan LalofBabur in Forest Hill (London Suburbs), adding to his already impressive trophy; Abul Monsur of Taj Cuisine in Chatham (South East); Abul Monsur, Taj Cuisine; Shanker Pandey, Everest Inn Ashford, Kent, Salim Siddique, Raj Bari; Abul Sobur Zafran, Essex, Mohd Bilal Uddin, Bayleaf, Bristol; Moinul Alom, Nahar,

Newcastle under Lyme, Abdul Hamid. India on the Green; and Nasser Awan, Sapna Caterers.

Swedish Restaurant of the Year Awards went to Indian Garden Restaurant and Waipo Chinese Restaurant both in Stockholm.

For more details of the event and a complete list of winners visit www.asiancurryawards.co.uk

ENDS

Editor's Notes: Photos available.

Federation of Bangladeshi Caterers. The “voice of the curry industry” is a nationwide non-profit making and non-political organisation, led by the Westminster Press and Parliamentary office – which lobbies on MPs, Government and Whitehall, promoting and protecting the interests of the curry industry in Britain.

The FoBC viewpoint delivers a wide range of high quality business services to its members. The Bangladeshi dominated curry industry contributes approximately £4.5 billion to the British economy and creates about 100,000 employment opportunities.

Media Contact: George Shaw, Avocado Media T 01892 750851

M: 07860 695555 geo@avocadomedia.co.uk

Yawar Khan, Chairman, Asian Curry Awards

No 1 Poultry, London EC2R 8JR

T: 0845 634 6343

M: 07939 936 786

E: info@asiancurryawards.co.uk; info@fobc2008.com

W: www.asiancurryawards.co.uk

Twitter: @AsianCurryAward