Halal winners at the Asian Curry Awards 2017

The very best of curry and culture was celebrated last night at a prestigious awards ceremony in London Mayfair with curry houses catering for Halal doing especially well.

Hosted by Masterchef’s Greg Wallace and journalist Samantha Simmonds, the 7th Asian Curry Awards attracted the UK’s best talents under one roof at Grosvenor House Hotel.

Lib Dem MP of Carshalton and Wallington, Tom Brake, delivered an important message of support to Bangladesh during his opening speech – a nod to the nine out of 10 Bangladeshi-owned curry restaurants across the country.

One of the highlights of the night was Darjeeling Express which received the ‘Outstanding Achievement in the Industry’ award.

A restaurant that was only a supper club last year and which opened this summer in June, has done remarkably well with founder Asma Khan winning ‘Celebrity Curry Chef Of The Year’ at the English Curry Awards in August.

On this occasion, however, it was Michelin-starred restaurant Benares’ Atul Kochhar who triumphed as the ‘Asian & Oriental Chef of the Year’.

Halal restaurant, Thali Ho in Surbiton, Surrey, came away with the ‘Best Casual Dining Restaurant in London Suburbs’ award despite only having opened last month.

But it was Sri Lankan Halal restaurant Sigiriya in Hale, Altrincham, that scooped up ‘Best Newcomer’ having also won the same accolade at the English Curry Awards, while Grand Trunk Road in South Woodford was awarded the ‘Best Newcomer in London Suburbs’.

Michelin-starred Quilon, which specialises in serving South West coastal Indian cuisine in Westminster while catering for Halal chicken and lamb (no pork or alcohol on the menu), won the ‘Best Fine Dining Restaurent in London’ award.

While Rajdani, which caters for Halal chicken and lamb only, was recognised as the South East of England’s ‘Best Indian Restaurant’.

For a full list of the winners at this year’s Asian Curry Awards 2017, visit www.asiancurryawards.com