7 chefs, 41 restaurants from British food industry honoured at 2026 Currylife Awards

The 17th Currylife Awards 2026 have recognised seven chefs and 41 restaurants to honour the “success, hard work, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit” of South Asian cooking and its contributions to the British economy, culture, and multicultural identity.

The event was held at the InterContinental Hotel in London's Mayfair on Sunday evening, according to Currylife Magazine, which sponsors the awards.

“Curry is one of the most essential chapters of Britain's multicultural identity. Today, that tradition of South Asian cooking is not just the name of a dish, it is a unique symbol of the success of the British economy, culture and immigrant entrepreneurs,” it said.

In attendance were over 500 guests, including entrepreneurs in the UK restaurant sector, prominent businessmen and dignitaries, politicians, ministers, and members of parliament and the House of Lords.

BBC presenters and journalists Jon Kay and Luxmy Gopal hosted the event.

The awards have four main categories - Best Restaurant, Best Chef, Editor's Choice and Best Takeaway. Thousands of customers vote for their picks before judges select the final shortlist and winners.

“For 17 years, the awards have been held to honour professionals, chefs, restaurateurs and business leaders who have made outstanding contributions to the British curry industry,” Currylife said.

The event began with a tribute to Toufique Imrose Khalidi, editor-in-chief of bdnews24.com.

In his welcome speech, Syed Nahas Pasha, editor-in-chief of the Currylife magazine, mourned his sudden departure, saying that he was deeply saddened by his passing. Khalidi was to attend the awards ceremony as a special guest and had been staying at a hotel in London when he suddenly fell ill. He died on Friday.

Regarding the awards, Pasha said: "This year is the 17th edition of our awards - a testament to our commitment to celebrating excellence in the curry industry and highlighting the hard work, stability and creativity of this sector."

Syed Belal Ahmed, editor of Currylife magazine, said: "Many of the country's most inspiring businessmen and restaurant entrepreneurs are working in the curry industry in the UK. We are delighted to be able to provide a platform to showcase their hard-earned success at the national level, so that they can move forward. The British curry industry has once again proven its worth.”

Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE, former CBI President, founder of Cobra Beer and long-time supporter of the Currylife Awards, said: “The curry industry is an integral part of Britain’s economic, cultural and culinary life. It supports the livelihoods of people from all walks of life and brings people together through our love of great food.”

“The Currylife Awards recognise the extraordinary talent, dedication and entrepreneurial spirit of the restaurateurs, chefs and teams whose hard work is driving the industry forward.”

He said, “By celebrating their achievements and inspiring a new generation, the awards are helping to ensure a strong and ambitious future for Britain’s curry industry – one that will build on its proud heritage and embrace new opportunities for growth and innovation.”

Currylife says the market value of the curry industry in Britain is around 4 billion pounds, with the industry employing millions of people through thousands of restaurants, takeaways and related businesses.

Entrepreneurs of Bangladeshi origin have played a particularly significant role in building the foundations of British curry culture for decades, it added.

The winners are:

Editor’s Choice of the Year

· Surrey Palace - Ewell, Surrey

· Lala’s Restaurant - Leeds/Bradford, West Yorkshire

· Monsoon Majestic Indian Dining - Newcastle-under-Lyme, Newcastle

· Riverside Spice - Colechester, Essex

· Downham Tandoori - Downham Market, Norfolk

· Chennai Indian Cuisine - Leek, Staffordshire

· Celebrity Indian Restaurant - Cardiff

· The Aberdale Pub and Grill - Wigston, Leicester

· Omni Chester - Chester

· I-Naga Restaurant - West Wickham

Best Restaurant of the Year

· Dilraj Restaurant - Bridgnorth, Shropshire

· Royal Masala - Kingswinford, Dudley

· The Bombay Swanley- Swanley, Kent

· Evesham Balti- Worcestershire

· The Viceroy- Newhaven, East Sussex

· Jalapari of Woodley- Woodley, Reading

· Chowringhee Indian Cuisine- Patcham, Brighton

· King's Lynn Tandoori- King's Lynn, Norfolk

· Cavalli- Stone, Staffordshire

· Lasagne Southwell- Southwell, Nottinghamshire

· Chili's Restaurant- Weymouth, Dorset

· Spice Haven- Whitchurch, Shropshire

· Seaton Tandoori- Seaton Carew, Hartlepool

· The Mount Gurkha- Waterloo, Liverpool

· Maliha & Taj Bengali & Indian Restaurant - Taunton, Somerset

· Spice Village - New Ash Green, Kent

· Aria Indian Restaurant - Watford, Hertfordshire

· Monsoon Restaurant - Hollywood, Birmingham

· Spice Master - Tilehurst, Reading

Best Chef of the Year

· Chef Goyas Ullah - Queen's Head Restaurant, Bretford, Rugby

· Chef Abdul Malik - Saffron, Leek, Staffordshire

· Chef Shamsul Mia - Cinnamon Lounge, Horbury, Wakefield

· Chef Mosahid Ali (Raj) - Naz Indian Cuisine, Hesketh Bank, Preston

· Chef Syed Usmani - Indian Queen Takeaway, Rugby, Staffordshire

· Chef Abdul Mia - Prince of India, Faversham, Kent

· Chef Samir Desai Leicester - The Broadway Bar & Grill, Leicester

Best Takeaway of the Year

· Taj Mahal Night - Chelmsford, Essex

· Clay Oven Takeaway - South Dagenham, Essex

· Henlow Tandoori - Henlow, Bedfordshire

· Little India - Bolton, Greater Manchester

· Bayleaf Takeaway - Whetstone, London