Halal features in Asian Restaurant Awards 2021 shortlist

A number of familiar brands catering for Halal have been shortlisted for the annual Asian Restaurant Awards.

With over 100,000 online votes from members determining the finalists, the national awards are open to restaurants of all Asian and Oriental cuisines.

Some of the more notable restaurants shortlisted in London include Asma Khan’s Darjeeling Express, Royal Nawaab in Perivale, as well as Grand Trunk Road in South Woodford and Dulwich Heritage – both voted a perfect 5/5 by FtLion with the latter only this year.

Ambitious eatery DUSK in Brentwood, Essex, who unveiled a carefully conceived menu this year in the hopes of becoming the first UK Halal restaurant to win a Michelin star, has also been nominated for the Best Fusion Restaurant category.

Judges from the Asian Catering Federation (ACF), which hosts the event, will now be visiting the candidates to determine the overall category winners to be announced at a gala dinner on 31st August.

With the presentation ceremony taking place at Manchester’s Mercure Piccadilly, the range of Asian and Oriental cuisines include South Asian, Far East, Middle Eastern, and Turkish.

Commenting on this year’s awards, which is being held at the Mercure Piccadilly in Manchester, ACF chairman Yawar Khan said: “The pandemic has been devastating for many hospitality businesses and its workers.

“These awards will acknowledge the sector’s resilience, innovation and generosity in the face of such adversity.”