Celebrating Bangladeshi cuisine at the 17th British Curry Awards in London

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson looked elated as he welcomed all to this year's British Curry Awards, known as the Oscars for the global curry industry, held at the Battersea Evolution Center, London. On this star-studded event organised by the British-Bangladeshi entrepreneur Enam Ali MBE in association with Just Eat, Boris Johnson in a video message said, "The global recognition of those talented people of the curry industry is truly mind-blowing. Even more gratifying is the fact that in the last two years, in the midst of the most difficult days of the nation, these people selflessly and persistently provided foods to our NHS and to people from door to doors saving millions of invaluable lives".

Welcoming all corners to the gala event that two decades back actually began in the hands of some notable British-Bangladeshi entrepreneurs, who do control the best part of the British curry industry, and has today become one of the national festivals in Britain, the British Prime Minister expressed his heartfelt thanks and felicitations to all the restaurateurs, chefs and waiters working for the industry.

Nominated by people, best of the restaurateurs from all over Britain flocked to the capital city with a dream for winning the 'Curry Oscar' a jewel in the crown at the most rousing festival of the year. To add to the splendour of the event, celebrities from sports, entertainment, culture, and politics made their presence.

The organisers of the festival dedicated the entire festival to the memory of the pioneers, businessmen and workers of the British curry industry who lost their lives during the difficult COVID-19 pandemic in the last one and a half years.   Notably, more than 90 per cent of the British curry industry, else known as the Asian and Indian curry industry spread across the UK, was created by the Bangladeshi entrepreneurs. Although Bangladeshi restaurants won most of the awards in the previous year, this year out of 12 categories, they bagged four, while two went to Pakistani and the rest to Indian restaurants.

British Curry Awards 2021 Winners are —

Best Restaurant Scotland: Dishoom, North East: Mumtaz Restaurant, North West: Asha's, East Midlands: Montaz Newmarket, West Midlands: Pushkar Restaurant, Wales: Purple Poppadom, South East: Chez Mumtaz, South West: Prithvi Restaurant, London Central and City: Benares, London– Outer & Suburbs: Shampan Bromley, Best Newcomer: Mathura Restaurant, Best Delivery Restaurant/Takeaway: Maliks Express Kitchen and Most Innovative Restaurant Concept: Khai Khai Indian Restaurant.