Local restaurant owner Firoz Ali and his team have expressed delight at picking up a
prestigious national award for their work at the Barton Bangla Brasserie, 913 Garstang Rd,
Barton, Preston PR3 5AB.
The eatery was voted the nation’s best Curry Restaurant at this year’s prestigious Curry
Awards staged by Britain’s best loved Curry Magazine at a glittering event at London’s Royal
Lancaster Hotel, even though it is the first time the restaurant has entered the annual
national awards.
Speaking after the ceremony, Mr Ali said: “What a great tribute for us to be recognised in
this way. The past couple of years have been extremely challenging for businesses like ours
– and it is marvellous to emerge from such difficult times with such a top award.
He added: “Our success is very much a team effort – and is all about giving our customers
the quality of service that they demand and deserve. I’d like to thank everyone who has
played a part in achieving this top honour.”
Matt Bushby, the UK Marketing Director for Just Eat, added: “We are thrilled to sponsor the
Curry Life Awards, celebrating one of our most treasured and iconic industries; one that has
helped so many communities in so many ways over the last 18 months.
We are delighted to play a part in showcasing the hard work and imagination of chefs and
owners who continue to improve and impress in producing fantastic, value-for-money and
creative cooking.
Our congratulations go to all of those who have won awards. You fully deserve them for
standing out in this excitingly crowded and competitive industry.”
Commenting on the importance of the awards, President of the CBI and Chairman of Cobra
Beer, Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE, said: “Like many business sectors over the past couple of
years, the hospitality industry has been through the ringer because of the Covid pandemic.
“It is great to see it not only emerging from this dark period but also leading the way for other
business sectors. Now that the economy is gathering momentum, it is truly heart-warming
and instructive to hear of some of the stories of innovation, and pure hard work, emerging
from this year’s Curry Life Awards.
“Well done to Curry Life for once again throwing a spotlight onto these examples of best
practice and the brilliant people behind them.”
The Curry Life Awards celebrate the unique fusion cuisine of Indian food in the UK and are
part of a wider organisation that organises the British Curry Festival around the world.
Speaking about the 12 annual Curry Life Awards, Editor of Curry Life Media Group, Syed
Belal Ahmed, said: “Over the years we have been staging the awards, we have seen a
major stepping up of standards and quality being offered to customers-to the point where
several restaurants are in a position to challenge for accolades such as Michelin stars.
“One of the major aims of the awards has always been to highlight best practice going on
across the country – so that everyone has the opportunity to learn from the best – and that
indeed has always been a driving principle behind Curry Life itself.
“That so many owners have chosen to use their lockdown time to invest in their businesses,
and raise standards, is a real credit to the perseverance and ingenuity of all involved.
“We are delighted to recognise these efforts through the Curry Life Awards.”
Other guests at the event included: Gagan Mahindra MP, Aaron Bell MP, Greg Smith,
Angela Richardson MP, Charlotte Nichols MP, Wes Streeting MP, Celebrity Chef Atul
Kochhar, Dominic Chapman and Mridula Baljekar.
The Curry Life raised just over £2,000 for the British Asian Trust at this year’s Awards
Ceremony and Gala Dinner.
