Recognised globally as the original and most coveted award ceremony in the UK curry industry, also referred to as the ‘Curry Oscars’ as termed by former Prime Minister David Cameron, last night the British Curry Awards welcomed personalities from the worlds of politics, sport, showbiz and entertainment alongside celebrity chefs and curry restaurant owners and their staff from across the country.

A nationwide nominations process is led by the local patrons of curry houses on the streets of Britain, annually invited to nominate their favourite curry restaurants and takeaways.

The process of public nominations creates an authentic list of the nation’s favourite Asian eateries, based on the opinions of residents, leading to a rigorous vetting process by an independent panel of judges.

The award ceremony also marked the introduction of the Diners Choice Award – a new category that rewards curry establishments that are able to engage their customers through social media. Any nominated establishment in Britain had a chance to win this award based on the highest number of live, public votes on the night. Winning the Diners’ Choice Award was: Urban Tandoor, Bristol.

In a video message, Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak said, “The thing I've learnt about being Prime Minister is that the best training I ever had was working in a curry house. I know how hard every one of you works from the chefs to the waiters to the restaurant managers and the delivery drivers.

'That experience gave me a huge appreciation of business, of the importance of treating people fairly and the value of this most iconic of British Asian industries. So I'm delighted to be supporting Britain's ‘Curry Oscars’.

'I want to thank all of you for everything you do to fill our high streets and our homes with some of the best curry in the world.”

The winners:
Best Restaurant Scotland: Swadish by Ajay Kumar, Glasgow
Best Restaurant North East: Khai Khai Indian Restaurant, Newcastle
Best Restaurant North West: Mowgli Street Food Liverpool
Best Restaurant East Midlands: Calcutta Club Restaurant, Nottingham
Best Restaurant West Midlands: Lasan, Birmingham
Best Restaurant Wales: Purple Poppadom, Cardiff
Best Restaurant South East: Shampan at the Spinning Wheel, Westerham, Kent
Best Restaurant South West: Prithvi Restaurant, Cheltenham
Best Restaurant London Central & City: Benares, Mayfair
Best Restaurant London Suburbs: Copper Ceylon, Bromley
Best Takeaway: Maliks Express Kitchen, Gerrads Cross
Best Newcomer: Colonel Saab, Holborn
Personality of the Year Award: Khalilur Rahman

The event was hosted by comedian, Hugh Dennis and the main sponsor was Just Eat.

In attendance were: TV personalities, Chris Tarrant, Nadia Essex (Celebs Go Dating), Dr Ranj Singh; Merlin Griffiths (C4’s First Dates), Hayley Sparkes (This Morning), Danielle Mason, Saira Khan; actors, James Cosmo, Nina Wadia; former England footballer, David Seaman and partner, ice skater, Frankie Poultney; former England cricketer, Phil Tuffnell; reality TV star, Farah Sattaur (Ex On The Beach); The Apprentice contestant, Nick Showering; and MP Chris Grayling.