Winners of the Asian Restaurant Awards 2019

There were a number of notable Halal restaurants that triumphed at the recently concluded Asian Restaurant Awards’ glittering ceremony at the Manchester Hilton.

Asma Khan continued her success story as her all-female run eatery Darljeeling Express in Soho won the accolade of London’s Best Asian Restaurant.

Asma’s achievement comes off the back of her being ranked number one on the Business Insider’s top 100 list of ‘coolest people in food and drink’ last week.

Another winner was newcomer to London’s White City Palace, Shola Kitchen, which won the Best Pakistani Restaurant award.

Halal-friendly Indian Accent in Mayfair was named Asian Gourmet Restaurant of the Year while Scene Indian Street Kitchen was recognised as Manchester’s best Asian eatery.

Among the many other restaurants that won, there was also a special accolade for Aurangzeb Almgeer Khan of Kabana in Huddersfield for ‘Spirit in the Community Award’.

While ‘Community Impact Awards’ were given to Mohammed Ahad, Mohammed Kayes, Mohammed Azim and Mohammed Majid.

Shabir Hussain, owner of the Akbar Restaurant Group received the Industry Pioneer Award, while Liquat Ali of Aagrah in Doncaster received a Life Time Achievement award.

In his welcoming speech, Asian Catering Federation (ACF) chairman Yawar Khan said: “There will be those that complain and do nothing. Then there will also be those that continue to innovate and raise standards. We are in a growing market. More people are eating out and ordering takeaways than ever before.”

Over 100,000 public votes determined the shortlist of the nation’s favourite Bangladeshi, Burmese, Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Malaysian, Middle Eastern, Pakistani, Singaporean, Sri Lankan, Thai, and Vietnamese restaurants and takeaways.

While a full list of the winners can be viewed on its website, the Scottish version of the Asian Restaurant Awards 2019 will also be taking place in Edinburgh later this year in September.