A Cheltenham restaurant has won an award at the British Curry Awards 2022.

The awards ceremony honours the nation’s top curry restaurants as voted for by the British public and this year’s event paid tribute to the late Enam Ali MBE, the event’s founder and the UK’s leading spokesperson for the curry industry.

Ali spent more than 45 years promoting the curry industry globally.

The 18th annual ceremony took place on Monday, November 28 at Evolution London and the awards’ main sponsor was Just Eat.

The awards were presented by Hugh Dennis and the event attracted some famous faces including the likes of Phil Tufnell and Merlin Griffiths from Channel 4's First Dates.

In a video message of support, Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak said: “The thing I've learnt about being Prime Minister is that the best training I ever had was working in a curry house. I know how hard every one of you works from the chefs to the waiters to the restaurant managers and the delivery drivers.

“And that experience gave me a huge appreciation of business, of the importance of treating people fairly and the value of this most iconic of British Asian industries. So I'm delighted to be supporting Britain's ‘Curry Oscars’. I want to thank all of you for everything you do to fill our high streets and our homes with some of the best curry in the world.”

Cheltenham restaurant wins at British Curry Awards 2022

Prithvi on Bath Road in Cheltenham took home the Best Restaurant South West Award for the second year running on Monday.

The restaurant’s website says “Everything we create in our kitchen is sublime, from the textures to the flavours. At Prithvi, our restaurant aims to enhance and elevate the Indian classics.”

A range of dishes are served at the restaurant and it’s proved to be popular on Tripadvisor.

On the reviewing site, Prithvi has a 5 rating out of 1,535 reviews.

Speaking about his late father and British Curry Awards Founder, Enam Ali, and recognising the challenges facing the curry industry, Jeffrey Ali, Director, British Curry Awards said at the event: “His dedication for all of us was something for me to behold. We are privileged to be benefiting from his life's work today and beyond. As the natural custodians of this platform, my family and I bear the weight of the curry industry's plight.

“And I take this opportunity to reassure everyone how sincerely we take the gravity of this responsibility. We will always ensure to present a united voice for the British curry industry. And as a restaurateur myself, I am acutely aware of the adverse and unconducive economic situation we are currently facing. Unfortunately, the distant horizon shows little side of improvement. Businesses from all sectors are facing an onslaught of rising costs and slowing demand.”

Stuart Herrington, Head of UK Account Management, Just Eat said, “Awards like this rightly shine the spotlight on the hard working people behind the restaurants and takeaways that are making an invaluable contribution to their local community and the UK economy. Curry is where Just Eat began.  One of our first restaurants on the platform - some 17 years ago - served curry. It continues to be one of our most popular cuisines today.”

Herrington went on to discuss the challenges the hospitality industry faces currently including the impact of inflation.

To find out more about the British Curry Awards, you can visit the website.