The inaugural Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards (ARTA), the most prestigious celebration of South Asian cuisine in the UK, paid homage to the UK’s finest curry houses and Chefs at the InterContinental London – The O2 on the 30th September 2018.

ARTA 2018 welcomed a guest list consisting of the nation’s most respected curry restaurateurs alongside MPs, dignitaries and celebrities as they collectively honoured the achievements of the culinary industry. In attendance were Leader of the Liberal Democrats Sir John Vincent Cable, television personality Lizzie Cundy, reality star Ben Jardine, Britain’s Next Top Model contestant Victoria Clay, cricketer Monty Panesar, and TOWIE star Pascal Craymer.

The ceremony was hosted by television chef Ainsley Harriott & BBC news presenter Samantha Simmonds.

Interspersing the awards presentation was a curated world-class entertainment, including a performance by the evergreen Queen of Bollywood music, Alka Yagnik. The award charity Partner, Chance to Shine, was represented on the night by ambassador and former England cricketer, Devon Malcom.

Surpassing each assessment criteria including customer nominations, social media reviews, food hygiene, taste and innovation – Bayleaf Restaurant was victorious as the reigning Regional Winner from North London. Food hygiene is probably the most important element of the criteria for the award, where businesses must completely comply with all regulations regarding food in the interest of customer safety (see https://www.sentientuk.co.uk/food-hygiene/ for more on this). Even when just starting up as a new business, restaurants, cafes, even street vendors should have some food hygiene certification to show that they know how to prepare food safely. Fortunately, these Basic food hygiene courses online can provide the necessary certification at a relatively low cost, enabling people to get the training and accreditation they need to get into the kitchen and make food that makes people happy.

Winners at the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards 2018 were:

Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Siraj Ali
National Champions of Champions: Curry Palace
National Chef of the Year: Bhaijaan’s Bombay Kitchen
National Newcomer of the Year: Tamasha
Best Restaurant & Takeaway in Thai: Bangkok Lounge
Thai Chef of the Year: Royal Thai Cuisine
Best of Brick Lane: Masala Restaurant
Best Restaurant & Takeaway in Scotland: The Radhuni
Best Restaurant & Takeaway in Northern Ireland: Bangla
Best Restaurant & Takeaway in Wales: The Grand Sultan
Best Restaurant & Takeaway in South East: The New Curry Centre
Best Restaurant & Takeaway in East Anglia: Cam Spice
Best Restaurant & Takeaway in South Central: Spice Lounge
Best Restaurant & Takeaway in South West: Spice Club
Best Restaurant & Takeaway in Kent: Taj Barming
Best Restaurant & Takeaway in North London: Bayleaf Restaurant
Best Restaurant & Takeaway in East London: Grand Trunk Road
Best Restaurant & Takeaway in North East: The Vine Indian Cuisine
Best Restaurant & Takeaway in North West: Hot Chilli Restaurant
Best Restaurant & Takeaway in East Midlands: The Spice Lounge
Best Restaurant & Takeaway in West Midlands: Royal Bengal