The eighth annual British Curry Awards – dubbed by David Cameron as the “curry Oscars” – took place on 26th November at Battersea Evolution.
The UK curry industry, with its 10,000 restaurants, 80,000 employees and turnover of £3.6 billion, plays a major part in the British economy – and, of course, a major part in modern British social and culinary fabric.
The importance of the curry industry was recognised by the Prime Minister, who commented: “It’s often said that curry is Britain’s national dish and it’s easy to see why. It’s not just the flavour served up in the thousands of the curry restaurants across the country, it is the welcome too. Those who work in the curry industry enliven Britain’s high streets, boost local economies and contribute to local communities.”
BBC presenter Jenny Bond and celebrity impersonator Rory Bremner shared presenting duties at the ceremony. Jenny recounted how she had driven over 200 miles from flooded Devon to be there.
The evening had a “Best of British” theme, inspired by British successes at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Curry itself was celebrating a success, having overtaken Chinese food to become Britain’s favourite take-away meal. The achievement was marked by the addition of a new “Best Delivery Restaurant or Takeaway” award (in association with Just Eat, the online takeaway ordering service).
Enam Ali MBE, who founded the British Curry Awards in 2005 after 30 years promoting the British curry industry internationally, explained, “The British Curry Awards recognise and honour the integral contribution made by the UK’s Asian restaurants and take-away outlets to the social and cultural fabric of the United Kingdom.
“Curry may be born in India, but British Bangladeshis globalised it. The humble curry has come a very long way since it first came to these shores. Indian cuisine has now become the favourite food of the nation, and is enjoyed by millions of people across the UK, from students to professionals and pensioners. Most people will have a favourite curry that they will order when they go to a restaurant, meaning that Asian cuisine is deeply embedded in the psyche of the British people.
“The curry dish that Britain has given to the world – Chicken Tikka Masala – again features on the British Curry Awards menu in recognition of the important part it has played in helping to establish the UK curry industry’s reputation internationally.”
Awards
Best Delivery Restaurant/Take-away by Justeat.com MUSHTAQS (Hamilton, Lanarkshire)
Best Restaurant Scotland TAJ INDIAN (Prestwick)
Best Restaurant North East AAGRAH (Leeds)
Best Spice Restaurant North West INDIAN OCEAN (Ashton-u-Lyne)
Best Spice Restaurant Midlands ITIHAAS (Birmingham)
Best Newcomer Restaurant Midlands FIVE RIVERS A LA CARTE (Walsall)
Best Restaurant Wales RASOI INDIAN KITCHEN (Swansea)
Best Restaurant South East HAWELI INDIAN RESTAURANT (Twyford, Berkshire)
Bst Newcomer Restaurant South East SHAMPAN 4 – THE SPINNING WHEEL (Westerham, Kent)
Best Restaurant South West SPICE LODGE (Cheltenham)
Best Restaurant South West THE MINT ROOM (Yeovil, Somerset)
Best Restaurant Central London & City BOMBAY PALACE (Paddington)
Best Newcomer Restaurant Central London & City CHAKRA (Notting Hilll)
Best Restaurant London Suburbs CHAK 89 (Surrey)
Best in Casual Dining THE CHILLI PICKLE (Brighton, East Sussex)
Special Inspiration Award Dipna Anand of Brilliant Restaurant – Female Chef