The finalists in the Leicester Curry Awards 2019 were announced live at the BBC Radio Leicester studios last night.
The event welcomed around 100 guests to celebrate the big announcement and included delicious cocktails and Indian canapés.
Attending the event were managers and team members from favoured curry houses across Leicester and Leicestershire. Also, there to show support was this year’s sponsors and charity partners.
Invited from India as a special guest was Sandeep Marwah, Founder of Noida Film City and Director of the Asian Academy of Film and Television and Asian School of Media Studies.
Sandeep said: “I have a very strong connection to Leicester because Romail Gulzar was actually a former student at the Asian Academy of Film and Television and that love and affection and respect has bought me back to Leicester.”
This year, the Leicester Curry Awards received thousands of public nominations from more Indian eateries than the previous two years, but only five lucky finalists in each of the six categories made the cut.
The categories this year include, Best Vegetarian Restaurant, Best Takeaway, Best Pub Restaurant, Best New Restaurant, Best Fine Dining Restaurant and Restaurant of the Year.
Romail Gulzar, Founder of The Leicester Curry Awards said: “The team and I are over the moon at the response the Leicester Curry Awards 2019 has received. We would like to say a huge congratulations to each of the 30 finalists and we wish them all the very best of luck.”
Sophie Shardlow, Managing Editor of BBC Radio Leicester said: “About a year ago we were just getting ready to launch The Curry Show and I couldn’t believe we’d never done it before it seemed like a no-brainer. It’s not just about the food, it’s about the stories and the people and it actually really brings people together. The Curry Show was actually inspired by the Leicester Curry Awards and I’m very pleased to be a part of the awards again this year.”
Now that the public have had their say, it’s down to the panel of mystery judges to visit each of the finalists to make the final decision.
The winners of each category will be announced at the black-tie evening gala at Athena in the city centre on Monday 8 April.
Guests attending the event next month will be treated to a welcome drinks reception, as well as a three-course Indian meal and a whole host of vibrant entertainment and live music.
The 2019 awards will mark the third year for the event. SANS Catering Supplies is the Associate Sponsor and the other sponsors are Mattioli Woods PLC, SFB Group, St Martin’s Lodge, Cobra Beer, Bond Adams Solicitors and Anand and Daewoo International.
Three per cent of all tickets sales will be donated to the Leicester Curry Awards’ nominated charities; Emmaus Leicestershire and Rutland and ABF The Soldiers’ Charity.
FINALISTS 2019:
BEST VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT
- Chai Paani
- 4 Seasons Chaat House
- Indigo
- Mithaas
- Shiv Sagar
BEST FINE DINING RESTAURANT
- Lilu
- Spice Bazaar
- Aspects Enderby
- Cinnamon Lounge
- Everest Dine, Leicester
BEST PUB RESTAURANT
- Paddy’s Marten’s Inn
- Tiranga Restaurant and Bar
- Flamingo Bar and Grill
- The Woolpack
- Sports Lounge Oadby
BEST TAKEAWAY
- Billal’s Takeaway
- Bombay Bites, Evington
- Masalas
- Anika Balti Express
- Curry Royal
BEST NEW RESTAURANT
- Pepperzz Bar & Restaurant
- Chef’s Flavour
- Soi Restaurant
- Pamson Grill
- Tadka
RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
- Mumbai Inn
- Chutney Ivy
- Empress of India
- Indian Fusion
- Raj Mahal
First time entrant Raghunath Kodakandala from Aspects Enderby said: “It feels fantastic to be a part of the local awards. It’s a privilege to be a part of it and we feel great.”
Manish Chudasama from Chai Paani said: “We are feeling absolutely ecstatic about having been nominated three years in a row. There’s a strong line-up for best vegetarian restaurant this year but I really hope we can make it to the end.”
Stay tuned for the latest Leicester Curry Awards news on Twitter and Facebook by following @LeicesterCurry and online at www.leicestercurryawards.com
