The who’s who of the UK curry industry gathered in force in October for the Curry Life Awards 2025, marking the 16th edition of Curry Life Media Group’s flagship event.
The prestigious black tie awards ceremony took place on the 12th October at the London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square in Mayfair, London with more than 500 guests in attendance, including politicians, restaurant and takeaway owners, chefs and industry entrepreneurs. Attendees included Stephanie Peacock, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport), Rushanara Ali MP, 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.
The ceremony was hosted by ITV broadcaster Nina Hossain, with a total of 39 Awards presented on the night across six categories, including Best Restaurant, Best Chef, Best Newcomer, Editor’s Choice and Best Takeaway, alongside a special award for Curry Legend of the Year. These awards showcased the very best that the industry has to offer, from pioneering restaurant owners to outstanding chefs producing innovative cuisine, each and every one of them inspiring the next generation.
Leading by example
Upon arrival, guests networked and mingled over delicious canapés and enjoyed entertainment from Mirror Men dancers, before Hossain welcomed guests to proceedings.
“Tonight’s awards are about recognising the businesses and people that drive excellence across the British curry industry, and the hard work that goes into running restaurants and takeaways up and down the country, often against tough challenges,” said Hossain. “It’s that dedication, consistency and pride that keeps the curry industry thriving year after year. Curry Life takes pride in highlighting those who set standards for others to follow. The chefs who innovate, the restaurateurs who lead by example and the teams who make every customer experience memorable.”
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.”
Syed Nahas Pasha, editor-in-chief of Curry Life magazine, emphasised how the awards continue to shine a light on exceptional businesses, with thousands of customers voting across the UK and putting in a good word or two for their favourite restaurants and takeaways.
“It was very tough to choose our shortlist and winners this year,” he said. “Tonight is all about celebration and recognition. None of this would be possible without our readers, supporters, sponsors and the thousands of businesses in the British curry industry.”
Other speakers on the night included Lutfur Rahman, the founder and managing director of WorkPermitCloud, Rushanara Ali MP and Karan Bilimoria, founder of Cobra Beer. Rahman noted how curry has the power to bring people together, saying ‘we might argue over politics, football and even simple things like how to make a coffee, but when you say let’s go for a curry, everyone agrees.’
Cobra Beer’s Bilimoria reiterated how the 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, Bilimoria noted that Indian restaurants have shown extraordinary creativity and community spirit.
“This industry – and Curry Life – have been part of my life for decades,” said Bilimoria. “‘Every single one of the award winners here – you are heroes. Heroes not just to us but to our whole country and an inspiration to every single person in the UK.”
A worthy winner
The Curry Legend Award presentation was one of the standout moments from the evening, given to an individual who has contributed above and beyond to the industry. This year’s worthy recipient was businessman Amin Ali, the former owner of The Red Fort, which was one of the finest Indian restaurants in the UK.
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 London in 1983 and which 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, who visited shortly after launching Apple Computer Company in 1984.
The Curry Legend award presentation included a heartfelt video address from Amin’s friend, former Minister of State, Keith Vaz, who paid extensive tribute, highlighting both Amin’s fame and his wider impact on the industry.
“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,” said Vaz. “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.”
Rushanara Ali also paid tribute, commenting on how Amin paved the way for a new generation of entrepreneurs, by showing how to innovate through The Red Fort and his other ventures.
“[You] encouraged so many of us to enter public life, enter different industries, be that in politics or in business and elsewhere,” she said. “You have always encouraged us, not just in the British Bangladeshi community but across communities and you have always reached out to people across different parties. You have always been there encouraging, enabling and supporting us.”
Receiving his award, Amin said: “I’d like to thank Nahas Pasha and Syed Belal for honouring me and I’d like to thank everybody who has been supporting my work.”
Winners from all over the UK were honoured, with restaurants, takeaways and chefs from Scotland, Gwent, the West Midlands, Staffordshire, Shropshire and Dorset, to name but a few.
Guests enjoyed a delicious three-course meal provided by Sapna Caterers, with starters including chapli kebab, chicken mixed grill, fried masala fish and aloo papdi chaat. The main course featured lamb bhuna, haandi chicken, aloo baingan, tarka daal and lamb biryani, followed by a dessert of kulfi and gulaab jaamun.
The Curry Life Awards 2025 were sponsored by Cobra Beer, Work Permit Cloud, Unisoft and Hillside Travels. l
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 – Lifetime Achievement award
• Amin Ali, founder/owner The Red Fort
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