One city favourite and a market town restaurant are among the 46 finalists from around the country
Two eateries in Leicestershire have been named among the top Asian restaurants in the UK.
Chatwala in Leicester’s Gipsy Lane and the Orissa restaurant in Castle Donington in the north of the county are among 46 that have been named the top Asian eateries, and the long list will now be whittled down to a shortlist by a panel of judges.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Dilly Hotel in London’s Mayfair on Monday, December 2.
The judges who will be choosing the 10 finalists will be led by the editor of the Good Curry Guide, 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 10th Asian Food & Restaurant Awards, are a significant landmark on a decade-long journey of celebrating culinary excellence.”
The organisers of the awards said the annual event was “regarded by many as the most prestigious event in the UK’s Asian food calendar” and that the awards were “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”, the organisers said.
Chatwala’s website describes it as an Indian street food restaurant serving only vegetarian dishes. The website states: “Chatwala has made waves being one of the top local traditional Indian street food restaurants with amazing customer service and relaxing atmosphere in Leicester.
“We are pure vegetarian and have gluten-free and vegan options available. We are open for dine-in, delivery and collection. We have everything from chaat bowls and pani puris to dosas and chilli paneer.
“Leicester is known for delicious Indian cuisine spots and at Chatwala we make sure to exceed your expectations when it comes to quality, taste, affordability and customer service.”
Meanwhile, Orissa, on the premises that used to be the Turk’s Head in Market Street, describes itself as “Castle Donington’s premier Indian restaurant” with “contemporary surroundings, warm friendly atmosphere, and exquisite cuisine”.
This year the Asian Food & Restaurant Awards night, a black tie event, will be hosted by Bollywood star and radio presenter Anushka Arora.
Attul Haq, the CEO of the awards, 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 of the people and brands that are driving Britain’s food industry forward.”
Here are all the finalists, listed in alphabetical order:
- 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
- Navadhanya – Cambridge
- Opheem – Birmingham
- Orissa – Castle Donington
- Panache – Elgin
- Panas Gurkha – 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
