Bigger and better than ever before, the 10th British Curry Awards honoured the nation’s finest restaurants in spectacular style, with stars of stage and screen gathering at Battersea Evolution to see the industry’s finest chefs rewarded for their hard work in continuing to innovate and perfect the nation’s favourite dish.
In a special video message played at the event, Prime Minister David Cameron said: “These awards are a great night for this country. Curry is one of our country’s greatest achievements and one of our most exciting exports too.” one of our most exciting exports too.”
Great success story
Home Secretary Theresa May was this year’s guest of honour and said: “It’s not hard to see why the Prime Minister and others have called these the ‘Curry Oscars’. The British curry industry really is one of Britain’s greatest success stories. Through hard work and innovation, you’ve built a vibrant industry, which generates wealth, promotes growth and employs tens of thousands of people.”
Hosted by TV’s Kate Silverton and Hardeep Singh Kohli, the awards helped showcase Britain’s finest culinary talent.
This year, a massive 206,378 public votes were received, with 2,641 restaurants being nominated. More than 1,600 guests packed into the lavish venue to celebrate the stars of the industry and crown this year’s champions.
British Curry Awards 2014 winners
Best Spice Restaurant in London Central & City: The Cinnamon Club, Westminster
Best Spice Restaurant in London Outer & Suburbs: Shampan Welling, Kent
Best Spice Restaurant in South East: Maliks Restaurant, Maidenhead, Berkshire
Best Spice Restaurant in South West: Myristica, Bristol
Best Spice Restaurant in North East: Aagrah Midpoint, Thornbury, West Yorkshire
Best Spice Restaurant in North West: Blue Tiffin, Oldham
Best Spice Restaurant in Midlands: Mem Saab, Nottingham
Best Spice Restaurant in Wales: Rasoi Indian Kitchen, Swansea
Best Spice Restaurant in Scotland: Light of Bengal, Aberdeen
Best Casual Dining: Dishoom Covent Garden
Newcomer of the Year: Five Rivers A La Carte, Walsall
Best Delivery Restaurant/ Takeaway by Justeat.com: The Chilli Pickle, Brighton
This year’s Special Recognition Award was presented to one of the founding fathers of the British curry industry, Shams Uddin Khan of Maharani restaurant in Clapham.
The British Curry Awards was established by British entrepreneur and restaurateur Enam Ali MBE in 2005. He said, “These awards have changed the public’s perception of British curry and we are getting the recognition for providing truly world class cuisine.”