Samara Events has revealed the identities of the UK’s top 50 Asian restaurants, with the winners set to be feted at a glittering awards ceremony being help at the Dilly Hotel in London’s Mayfair on Monday 2nd December.
The top 50 venues will now be being whittled down to 10 eventual winners by a team of judges led by Good Curry Guide editor, George Shaw, who said: “Those working in the Asian hospitality sector are a shining beacon of light showing the enrichment afforded by multiculturalism and the social cohesion enjoyed by most people in our towns and cities around the country.”
“These, the 10thAsian Food & Restaurant Awards (AFRA), are a significant landmark on a decade-long journey of celebrating culinary excellence.”
The Asian Food & Restaurant Awards is an annual black-tie gala dinner dedicated to recognising excellence across the Asian food and hospitality sector. The awards celebrate outstanding achievements among restaurants, takeaways, chefs, food and drink brands, catering companies, retailers, and suppliers that have made an indelible mark on the eating habits of the British public.
Attul Haq, AFRA’s CEO, said: “The British-Asian food and hospitality industry plays a significant role in the UK economy and contributes greatly to the country’s cultural and economic growth.
“These awards highlight the contribution the people and brands that are driving Britain’s food industry forward.”
Regarded by many as the most prestigious event in the UK’s Asian food calendar, this year’s AFRAs will hosted by Bollywood star and radio presenter Anushka Arora.
The Awards, staged by Samara Events, are supported by Taste Asia, Madhu’s, Cobra Beer, Sunrise Radio, Punjab TV, Brit Punjabi, Do Care and PayTap.
The Asian Food & Restaurant Awards celebrate and promote excellence within the UK’s Asian food and hospitality sector. Established nearly a decade ago, AFRA has become a key platform for recognising innovation, quality, and success in one of Britain’s most dynamic industries, shining a spotlight on the individuals and businesses that help shape the nation’s culinary landscape.
Shortlist:
Andhra – Nottingham
Babur – London
Benares – London
Café Spice Namaste – Docklands
Cho Asia – Putney
Charcoals – Glasgow
Chatwala – Leicester
The Cook’s Tale – Canterbury
The Cook’s Adventures – Canterbury
Club India – Wokingham
Delhi 6 – South Shields
Guru – Belfast
Heritage – Dulwich
iNaga – Bromley
Indian Essence- Tunbridge Wells
Indian Summer – Brighton
The International – Bradford
Jumeira – Kent
Kasa & Kin – Soho
Kahani – London
Kebabish – Blackburn
Kesarum – Southampton
Kutir – Chelsea
Kumquat – Tunbridge Wells
Light of Bengal – Liverpool
Madhu’s – Southall
Maha Bharat – Devon
Mango Lounge – Windsor
MITR – Royston
My Delhi – Newcastle
Namak – South Woodford
Navadanya – Cambridge
Opheem – Birmingham
Orissa – Donington Castle
Panache – Elgin
Panas Ghurka – Blackheath
Purple Poppadom – Cardiff
Raaz – Putney
Raval – Gateshead
Rajdoot – Manchester
Raj Kitchen – Swansea
Red Fort – Caernarfon
Shahbaaz – Aberdeen
Tanishq – Ongar
Tayyabs – East London
Urban Tandoor – Bristol
Author: George Shaw
Former BBC journalist and founder and CEO of an award-winning London advertising and PR company for 20 years, providing restaurant consultancy services. Spent a decade as the director of communications of the Asian Catering Federation in the UK and lead judge for its various restaurant and chef awards programmes. Now returned to journalism, specialising in food and travel and currently the Editor-in-Chief for Taste London, Taste Asia, the Good Curry Guide and CEO of International Culinary Guides.