Finalists in the 2023 English Curry Awards have been announced - and a total of 21 Greater Manchester businesses are in the running to pick up an award.
Now in their 12th year, the English Curry Awards aim to "shine a spotlight on the remarkable talents and dedication of individuals and establishments within the curry industry." The awards ceremony will take place August 14 at the Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre, and organisers say that this year’s finalists represent the crème de la crème of English curry industry.
Categories at this year's awards span Curry Restaurant of the Year, Takeaway of the Year and Chef of the Year. There is also a categories for Curry King or Queen, Critic's Choice Restaurant Award and an award specifically for Manchester-based restaurants. Organisers added that each finalist has demonstrated an "unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and authenticity, and has made a significant contribution to the curry scene in their respective regions".
Read more: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community
Among the local finalists is Royal Balti House in Bolton, which is nominated for North West Curry Restaurant of the Year. It's up against other local talent including Aroma Asian restaurant in Burnley and Shamoli in Knutsford.
While no Greater Manchester dining spots are up for Restaurant of the Year in the North West category, in the Customer Experience of the Year, two local spots have made the cut. Both Wah Ji Wah and Sanskruti Restaurant in Manchester have been nominated for the North West, alongside the likes of Aroma Asian Restaurant in Burnley.
In the Takeaway of the Year category for the North West, Greater Manchester restaurants shine, with Golden Tandoori, Waterhead Tandoori in Oldham and Chillies Indian Takeaway in Wigan, all receiving a nod. Meanwhile, Yadgar Café in Manchester and Ashiana in Stretford have received nominations for Takeaway and Home Delivery of the Year, and Barfi Catering Manchester has made it into the Caterer of the Year list.
There's a separate award for Best of Manchester, which includes ten Greater Manchester spots. Wah Ji Wah receives a second nomination, and is joined by Ziya Restaurant, The Original Third Eye, Indian Tiffin Room, Khandoker Restaurant, Scene Indian Street Kitchen, Kabana, Asha’s Restaurant, Delhi House Café, and Dhoom Dhaam.
Elsewhere, The Great Kathmandu Restaurant in Didsbury has been nominated for Nepalese Restaurant of The Year along with Jai Kathmandu, and Sanskruti Restaurant has been nominated in the Vegetarian Restaurant Of The Year category. On the night, gongs will also be given out for New Restaurant of the Year, Curry King or Queen, Lifetime Achievement, Special Recognition, and Critic’s Choice Restaurant of the Year.
A spokesperson for The English Curry Awards 2023 said: “The English Curry Awards promise to be a memorable event that honours the dedication and hard work of the nominees and celebrates the rich tapestry of flavours that the curry industry brings to the English culinary landscape.
“The Awards provide a platform to applaud the exceptional efforts of those who have made significant contributions to the curry sector and continue to elevate the nation’s love for curry. We would like to wish all finalists the best of luck and we can’t wait to see you all on the 14th."
