UK’s curry elite honoured at prestigious Curry Life Awards 2025
The Curry Life Awards 2025 took place last night in a spectacular ceremony hosted by ITV broadcaster Nina Hossain at the prestigious Marriott Grosvenor Square in Mayfair, London. The event celebrated the culinary heroes of the British Asian restaurant industry, highlighting the excellence, innovation, and unwavering spirit of the sector. A total of 39 Awards were presented nationally this year in different categories, including Best Restaurant, Best Chef, Best Newcomer, Editor’s Choice and Best Takeaways.
A special Curry Legend Award was presented to businessman Mr Amin Ali, the former owner of The Red Fort, one of the finest Indian restaurants in the UK. Amin Ali’s contribution to the UK curry industry is not to be understated. Known as an entrepreneur, trailblazer, visionary businessman, campaigner, and innovator, Amin’s legacy is defined by his iconic London restaurant, The Red Fort, which opened in Soho in 1983 and quickly became an institution in the capital. It was a favourite haunt for politicians, dignitaries, and celebrities. Former Prime Ministers Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, and Theresa May dined at the Red Fort, and many celebrities frequented the establishment, including Steve Jobs after launching Apple Computer in 1984.
Amin Ali played a pivotal role in transforming the face of Indian cuisine in the UK. He introduced contemporary Indian cuisine with Soho Spice in the 1990s. He elevated the fine dining experience by setting new standards for pairing wine with spicy dishes, notably by being among the first to hire sommeliers. Crucially, before opening The Red Fort, Amin had held several jobs after arriving in the UK in the 1970s. He is most recognised for his role in investing in talent by finding, recruiting, and training hundreds of chefs from India and Thailand who worked in his businesses. Many of these talented individuals later opened their own successful restaurants, demonstrating their direct, long-lasting impact on the industry.
The event included a heartfelt video address from his friend, former Minister of State, Keith Vaz, who paid extensive tribute, highlighting both his fame and his impact: “Amin Ali is a legendary restaurateur; the Red Fort in Soho, and the other restaurants that he ran became famous, not just in London, but throughout the world. He has also been an immense tower of strength for the British Bangladeshi community… to get us a seat at the table where the decision makers sat to enable us to be part of the great fabric of this great country.”
The 16th Curry Life Awards, organised by the Curry Life Media Group, are an annual celebration of British curry houses. They recognise individuals and businesses that represent the very best of the British curry industry. The awards highlight outstanding performance, innovation, and culinary excellence, playing a crucial role in promoting best practices and raising standards across the sector. Over 500 guests, primarily successful British Asian entrepreneurs and professionals in the curry industry, attended the prestigious ceremony.
Syed Belal Ahmed, Editor of Curry Life Media Group, commented on the high standards of this year’s winners: “The UK’s curry industry features some of the country’s most innovative entrepreneurs and restaurateurs. All of them have inspiring stories to tell, and they must be given the necessary support to grow and thrive.”
Emphasising the industry’s vital role and the significance of this achievement, Lord Karan Bilimoria, founder of Cobra Beer, the event’s headline sponsor, added: “The curry industry is a cornerstone of Britain’s hospitality landscape, bringing people together and creating opportunities across every corner of the country. In today’s climate, marked by high energy bills, workforce challenges and ongoing economic headwinds, our restaurants have shown extraordinary creativity and community spirit. As founder of Cobra Beer and former President of the CBI, I have witnessed firsthand how curry restaurateurs invest in their people and adapt with agility. The Curry Life Awards celebrate not only culinary excellence but also the spirit of collaboration that defines our industry. These awards enable us to write the next chapter in Britain’s curry story, building on our collective strengths to ensure the sector thrives for years to come.”
Other guests at the awards ceremony included Stephanie Peacock, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport), MP Rushanara Ali, Mike Woods MP, Wendy Morton MP, and Ben Obese-Jecty MP, who all spoke passionately about the contribution the industry makes to the UK economy and the communities it serves.
Cobra Beer, Work Permit Cloud, Unisoft and Hillside Travels proudly sponsor the Curry Life Awards.
Complete List of Curry Life Award Winners 2025
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR 2025
- The Bombay, Swanley, Kent
EDITOR’S CHOICE OF THE YEAR 2025
- Kelvedon Spice, Kelvedon, Essex
- What a Shot, Leicester, Leicestershire
- Naz’s Rasoi, Rochester, Kent
- Junoon, Helsby, Cheshire
- Juboraj Rhiwbina, Rhiwbina, Cardiff
BEST RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 2025
- Jamun Restaurant, Brighton, East Sussex
- The Bombay Restaurant, Orpington, Kent
- Rimjhim Restaurant, Winchester, Hampshire
- Rivaaz Lymington, Lymington, Hampshire
- Eastern Eye, Newton Abbot, Devon
- Alcombe Tandoori, Alcombe, Somerset
- The Queens Head Restaurant, Bretford, Warwickshire
- Kimbolton Spice, Kimbolton, Cambridgeshire
- Jilani Majestic Indian Dining, Sudbury, Suffolk
- The Sundorbon, Bridport, Dorset
- The Radhuni, Loanhead, Midlothian, Scotland
- East 360 Restaurant, Congleton, Cheshire
- International Restaurant, Bradford, West Yorkshire
- Ashiana Indian & Bangladeshi Restaurant, North Muskham, Nottinghamshire
- Spice House, Halton, West Yorkshire
- Rimjhim Spice, Colchester, Essex
- Ruchi Indian Restaurant, Glossop, Derbyshire
- Aura Indian Cuisine, Aldridge, West Midlands
- Chennai Indian Cuisine, Leek, Staffordshire
- Saffron Lounge, Northfield, Birmingham, West Midlands
BEST CHEF OF THE YEAR 2025
- Rafique Miah, Wombourne Tandoori, Wombourne, Wolverhampton, West Midlands
- Shahid Ahmed, Bombay Restaurant, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
- Matin Khan,Itihaas Restaurant, Dalkeith, Midlothian, Scotland
- Naz Islam, Naz’s Rasoi, Strood, Kent
- Jaber Ahmed, Bombay Kitchen, Croxley Green, Hertfordshire
- Shahjahan Miah, Curry Cave, Newbury, Berkshire
- Muhammad Aaban, Ali’s Kitchen, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
- Lutfur Rahman, Village Spice Takeaway, Telford, Shropshire
- Abdul Rahman,Taste of Nawab, Muswell Hill, London
BEST TAKEAWAY OF THE YEAR 2025
- Hungry Elephant Takeaway, Caerleon, Newport/Gwent
- Indian Queen Takeaway, Rugby, Warwickshire
- Ali’s Spice, Blythe Bridge, Staffordshire
CURRY LEGEND AWARD
- Amin Ali, formerly Redfort
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