The finalists in the 5th Asian Curry Awards are being announced at a special networking lunch in the Terrace Pavilion at the House of Commons on Monday 12th October.
Restaurateurs will have the chance to meet the local MPs and discuss challenging issues facing the curry restaurant and takeaway industry with their fellow business owners. Over 50 MPs have already confirmed their attendance.
Curry lovers still have time to vote for their favourite Indian, Bangladeshi Chinese, Thai, Japanese and Malaysian restaurants and chefs. Voting for the 5th Asian Curry Awards closes 30th September. Vote online via www.asiancurryawards.com or email the name and location of the restaurant to vote@asiancurryawards.com
The Parliamentary lunch follows a live cook off competition and chefs workshop being held in the Pillars Kitchen at the University of West London in Ealing on at the 5th October. The cook off will determine the winners of the Asian & Oriental Chef of the Year and the Young Asian & Oriental Chef of the Year (under 30) categories.
In London, the early front runners in public voting are Benares, Café Spice Namaste, Chutney Mary, Cinnamon Club, Masala Zone, Quilion Gymkana and Veeraswamy.
Around the country, top Thai restaurants currently toping the poll are Blue Elephant, Busabai Eathai, Chaopharaya, Giggling Squid, Rosa, Thaikun, Thai Square and Rosa – although none has established a clear lead.
“Ultimately, the winners will be decided buy a team of judges led by Pat Chapman, editor of the Cobra Good Curry Guide, but the shortlist
will be determined by votes from members of the public – there’s very little daylight between them with everything still to play for,” said Asian Curry Awards chairman, Yawar Khan.
There are also regional award categories that will allow outstanding local restaurants and takeaways to receive there deserved plaudits at the high profile, glittering awards ceremony at the London Hilton on Park Lane in Mayfair on Sunday 15th November.
Leading restaurants will be visited unannounced by a panel of judges led by customer dining experience
“We expect top chefs to challenging the existing standards and exceed them,” furthered Khan, who added, “These Awards are designed to encourage our young people into the restaurant industry and to motivate those already in the profession to set sights even higher.”
Nominations forms and details of the whole awards process may be downloaded from the ACA website www.asiancurryawards.com.
The full list of national award categories is:
- Best Asian Restaurant of the Year
- Best East Asian Takeaway/Delivery of the Year
- Best South Asian Takeaway/Delivery of the Year
- Newcomer of the Year (restaurants established less than 3 years)
- Best Asian & Oriental Chef of the Year (International)
- Young Asian & Oriental Chef of the Year (under 30)
- East Asian Restaurant of the Year
- Best International Asian Restaurant
- Lifetime Achievement Award
There are also 10 regional awards for the Best South Asian restaurants in London, London suburbs, South East, South West, East, South Coast, North, Midlands, Wales and Scotland & Northern Ireland.
The Awards are a joint initiative from the Federation of Bangladeshi Caterers (FoBC) and the Asian Caterers Federation (ACF).
The awards are open to that have been trading for at least 12 months and have a minimum 4-star hygiene rating, with a plan to boost this to 5 stars.
