31st July 2023
At a glittering gala dinner hosted by BBC news anchor Samantha Simonds, winners at this year’s Asian Restaurant Awards received some of the hospitality sector’s most prestigious accolades – uniquely open to the entire range of Asian cuisines.
The awards were presented by Sir Graham Brady, MP, Chairman of the 1922 Committee.
Held at the Hilton Manchester Piccadilly on Monday 31st July the event’s headline sponsor is Just Eat, with co sponsors NatWest Cobra Beer and Work Cloud Permit.
Addressing an audience of more than 500 of the country’s leading Asian restaurant owners, chefs and local dignitaries – awards organiser, Yawar Khan, Chairman of the Asian Catering Federation (ACF), praised the industry’s response in adapt to “fresh culinary ideas” and their “willingness to embrace the more discerning needs of the public.”
Top national awards went to – Mahdu’s, Best Group; Shabhir Hussain, Akbar Group, Curry King; Mekong, Panda Mami, in Chester and York won the awards for Best Buffet, Babul’s in Barnard Castle won the award for Innovation.
The awards for Fine Dining went to the Michelin-starred Quilon in London and Raval in Gateshead, Newcastle.
Newcomer of the Year Awards went to BKC, London and Peace Garden, Manchester.
Babur in Brockley was named Best Asian Restaurant for London Suburbs.
The accolade for Best Street Food went to My Delhi in Sunderland. My Lahore which has venues in Leeds, Bradford, Birmingham and Blackburn was recognised for the Best Asian Fusion.
Just Eat Takeaway Awards went to Balti Hut, Bolton and Dilshad, Tyneside.
Other regional awards went to Sushi Mami, Manchester, Best Japanese; Mekong, Derry, Northern Ireland, Best Vietnamese; Chef of the Year, Alomgir, Delhi 6, Newcastle; Kebabish Original, Blackburn, Casual Dining, Lala’s, Leeds, Best Restaurant; Dilshad, Tyneside, Best Takeaway, Cook’s Tale, Canterbury, Restaurant of the Year, South East of England; Navodaya, East of England; Purple Popadom, Wales.
Local awards were also presented to Bangla, Belfast; Zen Restaurant, Lytham St Anne’s; Dhamaka, Cramlington; Indian Plaza, Audenshaw, Manchester; Shampan, Whitley Bay; Maha Bharat, South West of England; Vadah, Stockton-on-Tees; Spice Mafia, Urmston; Akbar’s, Bradford, Calcutta Club, Nottingham and Mahabhat, Kingsbridge.
The full list of regional winners can be viewed at www.AsianRestaurantAwards.org
Later this year the ACF will also host the 7th Asian Restaurant Awards (Scotland) in Edinburgh at the Sheraton Grand on 18th September and the 13th Asian Curry Awards at the Grosvenor House in London, on 23rd November 2023.
These are the UK’s only restaurant awards open to all Asian cuisines, including: Bangladeshi, Burmese, Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Malaysian, Middle Eastern, Pakistani, Singaporean, Sri Lankan, Thai, Turkish and Vietnamese.
Spice lovers can support their favourite restaurants by nominating them for this year’s awards via
www.asianrestaurantawards.org/scotland-nomination-form and www.asiancurryawards.com.