Bigger, better and more spectacular than ever. The British Curry Awards reached dizzying new heights as the 2008 competition reach its spectacular climax last night (19 October).
More than 3,000 restaurants had started out as award hopefuls, having been put forward by a staggering 28,000 public nominations. An initial judging process produced a list of 100 finalists.
By the time awards compere Jon Culshaw stepped on stage in the sumptuous surroundings of the Great Room at London's famous Grosvenor House Hotel, they had been whittled down to the award winners one for each of ten regions throughout the UK.
A special award as Most Innovative Restaurant went to Tiffin Bites which has four restaurants in London, and Aagrah in Sheffield picked up the Newcomer of the Year Award for establishments that have been open for less than three years.
The evening was a triumph not only for the award-winning restaurateurs but also for 17-year-old Justine Ali, daughter of British Curry Awards founder Enam Ali, who was making her debut as the producer and director of the glittering ceremony the biggest event of its kind in the world for the curry industry.
For any seasoned professional it would have been a demanding task. For someone still at school studying for her A Levels, it would have been thought impossible.
But as Justine told the 1,200 strong audience of restaurateurs, celebrity guests, peers, politicians and diplomats, her father has always taught her that 'impossible' is a word never found in the dictionary of food.
Introducing broadcaster James Whale, whose Fund for Kidney Cancer was the night's nominated charity, Justine said she had watched in amazement for the last three years as the show had been put together, and had jumped at the opportunity to take over as producer and director as a personal learning experience.
"Fortunately I have received tremendous support and courage from the industry who have given me the kind opportunity to bring this event together," she said.
And in a surprise tribute, she added: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank Enam Ali, not as my father, but for his tremendous contribution. He has religiously dedicated himself to the spice industry and is a role model to us youngsters."
Enam, owner of Le Raj restaurant in Epsom and publisher of Spice Business magazine, had earlier explained that one of the reasons he had founded the British Curry Awards was to provide the industry with a suitable showcase for its talents and, hopefully, inspire some of the new generation to come into the industry rather than follow other professional careers.
"We are now seeing the first signs that it's paying off. You've only got to look at the ages of some of our award winners to realise that we are beginning to attract younger people into the industry," he said.
"It's all very encouraging. Now we've just got to hope that some of these younger people are able to persuade a few more of their peers to also join the industry, only this time in the kitchens rather than at front of house. If they manage that, they'll do us all a favour. If not, they're likely eventually to face the same staffing problems as the rest of us, and that would be a huge shame."
Enam said the industry faced dire consequences from the imminent introduction of the government's new points-based immigration system which would make it even harder for restaurateurs to recruit the skilled staff they need to fill the thousands of vacancies in their kitchens.
"Despite all our lobbying, our mass protest in Trafalgar Square earlier this year, and clear evidence that, for the first time, the industry is shrinking rather than growing, the government is still not listening to us," he said.
"How many more restaurants are going to have to close before the politicians recognise we have a special case and grant us the small concessions we are seeking? Without action, the spiral of decline is certain to accelerate, with each closure having a knock-on effect to other businesses and suppliers. We must, and will, keep up the pressure to get things changed. There is no alternative."
Glamorous and spectacular entertainment both before and after the awards presentations was provided by Oops Bollywood.
All in all, then, another spectacular success for the British Curry Awards that, after four years, is firmly established as the pre-eminent awards scheme in the curry calendar the one everyone in the industry wants to win. Roll on 2009!
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British Curry Awards
211 Firtree Road
Epsom Down
Surrey KY17 3LB
Tel : 01737210022
www.britishcurryawards.co.uk
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British Curry Awards 2009 with Kingfisherby thatsritesh1,040 views
That place must stick like shit!!
faceclutch 10 months ago