Lifestyle /
Prime Minister David Cameron Attends 9th Annual British Curry Awards
The ninth annual British Curry Awards were celebrated on Nov. 25, 2013 amidst the grandeur of Battersea Evolution, London.
The event commemorates the work of Britain’s finest curry restaurants and U.K’s £3.6 billion Curry Industry. Attended every year by people associated with the food industry, the award show consists of foodies, celebrities, politicians and other dignified celebrities.
The curry industry in the U.K. includes around 10,000 restaurants and 80,000 employees. Its contribution to the country however is not just economic. It also impacts the social, cultural and culinary framework of the U.K as roughly 25 million curries are consumed each week.
The British Curry Awards has become a well-known event across the world, holding a particularly prominent place on the social calendar of the country.
The Awards were founded by British entrepreneur and restaurateur Enam Ali MBE in 2005.
According to Enam, “The British Curry has established itself as an international cuisine in its own right and a standalone culinary genre which has produced dishes such as the onion bhaji, the dhansak, the chicken tikka masala, the rogan josh, the chicken phall and the balti. As another example, where poppadoms were originally a teatime snack in India, British Curry pioneers recreated it as a replacement for bread and butter as served in British and European restaurants. So the British Curry industry has pioneered, inspired and continues to satiate the appetites of diners nationally, as well as being exported to many parts of the world, including India and the Sub Continent”.
Renowned chef Heston Blumenthal had this to say about the cuisine, “I went to India a few years ago to make a program about chicken tikka masala. What I found was that dishes from over here that people would perhaps say are not authentic are now being copied over there”.
This is perhaps the reason why the British Prime Minister David Cameron supports the event, even coining it the ‘Curry Oscars’ out of affection.
From an amazing 236,000 nominations received this year through various channels like apps, e-mails and posts, the following winners were selected:
Best Newcomer: Shampan 4 at the Spinning Wheel, Westerham, Kent
Best Takeaway Award: Just Eat
Online Takeaway Ordering Service: Polash Tandoori, Dartford, Kent
Best Spice Restaurant South West: Myristica, Bristo
Best Spice Restaurant Central London and City: Benares, Berkeley Square
Best Spice Restaurant London Outer and Suburbs: Indian Moment, Battersea
Best Spice Restaurant South East: Chez Mumtaj, St Albans, Herts
Best Spice Restaurant Wales: Bokhara, Pen-y-Fai, Bridgend
Best Spice Restaurant Midlands: Mem Saab, Leicsester
Best Spice Restaurant Scotland: Karma, Whitburn
Best Spice Restaurant North East: Raval, Gateshead, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Best Spice Restaurant North West: The Viceroy, Carlisle, Cumbria
The special Spice Business Magazine Award was given to Mohammed Aslam MBE for his special contribution to the curry industry this year.
The event highlights were made up of memorable speeches. The spectacular welcome speech by Justine Ali; an inspiring and highly motivating speech by Prime Minister David Cameron who also tweeted about the event on Nov. 25; as well as an impressive speech by Enam Ali MBE that echoed his love for the industry and his discomfort over the ongoing problems in Bangladesh.
To top the night off, the event also had a mesmerizing post-dinner performance by Shapla Salique.
Source: Tony Gil (Canvas London), Britishcurryaward.co.uk, Facebook.com/BritishCurryAwards
Images: Britishcurryaward.co.uk, Facebook.com/BritishCurryAwards
COMMENTS
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
-
Not Into Flu Shots? Try These Centuries-Old Desi Home Remedies Instead!
-
Diwali Gift Guide: Barbie® Diwali Doll & 8 More Unique South Asian Gift Ideas
-
From Turkey To Tadka: Desi-Inspired Thanksgiving Recipes
-
Mommy's Time-Out: How To Reclaim Your Zen After The Back-to-School Scramble
-
Khichdi Cups & 5 South Asian School Lunch Recipes For Busy Desi Parents
-
6 Complaints Desi Grandparents Have About Keeping Pets & How You Can Counter Them
-
Raksha Bandhan Gift Guide: Celebrate The Festival With A Modern Twist!
-
Summer Elixirs: Healthy South Asian Cooling Drink Recipes To Beat The Heat
-
Stay Cool: Build a Summer Garden Oasis At Home With Tulsi & Shade
-
Celebrating International Yoga Day: Find Your Balance Through Chakra Meditation
-
Spice Up Your Summer BBQ With These 5 Mouthwatering South Asian Recipes
-
South Asian Heritage Month: Journey Through Time With 8 Iconic South Asian Travel Destinations
-
How To Add Ancient South Asian Spiritual Cleansing Rituals To Modern Spring Cleaning Techniques
-
Toronto's Living Luxe Design Show Sets a New Standard for Luxury Exhibitions
-
Savouring South Asian Style: Elevate Your Home Decor with Cultural Flair
-
6 Ways To Create Fun Quality Time With Your Kids & Parents That Both Will Love!
-
Celebrating South Asian Literature: Must-Read Books by Female Authors
-
Flavourful Festivities: Traditional Holi Recipes To Spice Up Your Table
-
The Living Luxe Design Show Presented By JennAir Announces Powerhouse Program Of Speakers
-
7 Ways Yoga Will Save Your Mental Health
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Can I Convince My Friend That Her Threatening Boyfriend Is The Problem, Not Me?
-
10 Tips To Manage & Survive Long-Distance Relationships
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I'm Afraid My Childhood Bully Will Be Back In My Life, What Do I Do?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Create "Me Time" In My Demanding Life?
-
Hot Spot Alert: Mishree Cocktails & Cuisine Exhilarates With South Asian X Middle Eastern Cuisine
-
BioAro Founder Dr. Anmol Kapoor Wants You To Be The CEO Of Your Health
-
Savour the Holidays With This Paneer Pakora Recipe By KFI Sauces!
-
Here's How To Craft And Achieve Meaningful New Year's Resolutions
-
Snack It Up This Holiday Season with Indian-Inspired Potato Wedges by KFI Sauces
-
Butter Chicken Nachos Recipe By KFI Sauces Is Perfect For Your Holiday Spread
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Friend She's Taking My Emotional Support For Granted?
-
Anjali Pathak of Patak's Shares Her Favourite Recipes For The Holiday Season
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Why Does Our Family Get Togethers Always End With A Fight?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Sis-In-Law To Stop Intruding In My Daughter's Wedding Plans?
-
Event Alert: The Auric Living Conference Brings Holistic Healing To Toronto
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I'm On The Outs With My Friend Because I Supported Her Breakup What Do I Do?
-
Event Alert: The Desai Foundation Rings In 10th Anniversary of "Diwali On The Hudson" Gala
-
South Asians & Arthritis: Busting Myths And Sharing Facts About This Disease In Our Community
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Convince My Kids That My Granddaughter's Best Friend Is A Bully?
-
Make Your Brunch Brilliant With This French Buckwheat Crepes & Dosas Recipe!
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Sis-In-Law That Her Messy Dog Is Not Welcome At My House?
-
You Just Need A Hot Pot To Make This Amazing Masala Style Vegan Tomato Soup
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Friend To Stop Interrupting Me?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Trust My Husband After He Cheated On Me?
-
Check Out This Insane Recipe For Mini Masala Idli
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Brother That His Cottage Rules Ruins All The Fun?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: What Do I Do When My Fiancé Shares His Dog With His Ex?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Convince My Partner That Our Six-Year-Old Is To Young For Sleepovers?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Deal With My Friend Who Always Wants To Start A Fight?
-
Here's Why Paris Calls Tharshan Selvarajah The Best Baguette Baker In The City
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Help! My Bestie Roommate Is A Nightmare
-
Pride 2023: Why Is India's Supreme Court Taking So Long To Legalize Same Sex Marriage?
