The hugely popular Turknaz in Whitley Bay is celebrating success at the British Kebab Awards for a remarkable sixth year in a row.
The restaurant, which prides itself upon authentic Turkish cuisine, has once again proved a winner at the awards which invite public votes in celebrating a kebab industry which is worth more than £2.2bn to the UK economy.
Turknaz was named best regional kebab restaurant at the 10th annual event. Its previous wins there have included best value restaurant.
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The restaurant, in Whitley Bay 's North Parade, reacted with delight at its latest success, posting on its Facebook page: "6th year in a row!!!! We won!!!! Thank you so much to all our customers who voted".
Followers responded with congratulations but seemingly little surprise that the restaurant has done it again, with comments including "Well deserved, the best had to win of course, congratulations" and "It was never in doubt, well done again!"
The national awards, run in association with Just Eat, champion the efforts of local kebab takeaways and restaurants across the UK and they attract big name sponsors.
The public can nominate their favourites and from a whittled-down shortlist a team of judges, including industry professionals and MPs, pick the winners for a range of categories.
Among this year's judges was Sharon Hodgson, MP for Washington and Sunderland West who is also the Parliamentary private secretary to Labour leader Keir Starmer.
Another was Conservative Minister Nadhim Zahawi who has previously spoken of the importance of recognising the UK’s thriving kebab restaurant and takeaway sector.
Other reaction to the local success on the Turknaz's Facebook page included "Congrats to a great restaurant. Thoroughly deserve it"; "Well done guys!!! Make the North East proud!!!!" and "Many Congratulations, well done, you deserve it."
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