Popular restaurant crowned 'editor's choice' at national curry awards

A Maidenhead restaurant has been crowned the ‘king of curry houses’ after winning a national award.

The team at Emperor of India is celebrating its win as the Editor’s Choice at the 14th Curry Life Awards 2023 at the weekend.

The gala at London Marriott in Mayfair took place on October 15 and celebrated the ‘elite’ in the multi-billion-pound curry industry.

Restaurant owner Azmal Ali, said the team were ‘honoured’ to receive the accolade at the ‘fun and eventful evening’.

He said: “It means a lot to us, as we’ve been serving the local clientele for 21 years and it’s nice to be recognised.

“We’re very thankful to all our customers for nominating us. We’re so pleased and chuffed about it. This has shown us that what we are doing is working and has encouraged us to keep growing.”

Azmal and his wife Shima Ali transformed a pub into the Windsor Road restaurant in 2002, with head chef, Nazrul Islam working with the restaurant from day one.

Azmal said in the past six months, the Curry Life magazine team visited the restaurant to taste their dishes and interview Nazrul.

Azmal said: “We are aware that prices of everything has gone up recently in the hospitality industry, but we do not compromise on quality or ingredients. Our chef has 30 years experience cooking Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine.

“The personal touches and the quality of food and service is what makes us stand out and gives us the edge. We’re not just a run-of-the-mill curry house, we’re a high-quality restaurant where we get corporate clients as well as local residents. The whole community has been visiting us for many, many years.

“Some young kids who used to come with their parents, now married with their own children are still coming to our restaurant. That’s really nice and it says something when generations visit.”

More than 500 people attended the ceremony, presented by broadcaster Lucrezia Millarini, including beer magnate Lord Karan Bilimoria.

He said: “I congratulate the award winners. Everyone who was on the stage has made sacrifices and worked hard. Your achievements inspire all of us, particularly younger people, to aspire and achieve themselves.”

The event featured 44 awards across five categories, and marked the 20th anniversary of Curry Life magazine, the promoters.

Guests included members of parliament, Paul Scully, Steve Double, Rushanara Ali and Sir Peter Bottomley.

Paul Scully said: “These Awards help to inspire the next generation. It is through innovation that you are going to succeed. Make sure you are innovating and changing for a changing environment.”

Rushanara Ali added: “Aspiration, ambition and tireless hard work is what has built this extraordinary industry. Congratulations to all the award nominees and winners.”

The Awards were created by brothers Syed Pasha and Syed Ahmed, who came to the UK from Bangladesh in the 1970s and were surprised by the British appetite for curry.

赛义德·迈尔说:“从我们的卑微,在这里we are today, the voice of a billion-pound, entrepreneurial and innovative industry, and one which contributes significantly to the UK economy.

“We travelled thousands of miles this year visiting restaurants up and down the country, and it made me realise precisely why the curry industry will not only survive, but also thrive.

“It is the sheer determination, hard work, and a positive attitude from employees and employers alike and their sheer commitment to what they do.”