In a speech for the British Curry Awards 2014, which took place at the Battersea Evolution in London on 1 December, Cameron also cited the industry as an example of the ‘incredible contribution’ of the UK’s Asian communities.
He was backed up by MP Theresa May, whose speech at the awards lauded the curry industry for ‘much more’ than its ‘tremendous economic contribution’ to the country.
“It’s about the way you’ve become so much a part of the British way of life,” she said to attendees from the curry industry. “Your businesses are as familiar and as much loved as the local pub.”
More than 100 short-listed restaurants attended the awards ceremony, which is now in its tenth year. Restaurants were nominated by members of the public, with 206,378 nominations being received in total.
Video: British Curry Awards 2014
The award winners were:
- Best in London Central and City: The Cinnamon Club, central London
- Best in London Suburbs: Shampan 3 Welling, Kent
- Best in South East: Maliks, Berkshire
- Best in South West: Myristica, Bristol
- Best in North East: Aagrah Midpoint, West Yorkshire
- Best in North West: Blue Tiffin, Oldham
- Best in Midlands: Mem Saab, Nottingham
- Best in Wales: Rasoi Indian Kitchen, Swansea
- Best in Scotland : Light of Bengal, Aberdeen
- Best Casual Dining: Dishoom, Covent Garden
- Newcomer of the Year: Five Rivers A La Carte, West Midlands
- Best Delivery: The Chilli Pickle, Brighton
- Lifetime Achievement: Shams Uddin Khan