Ilkley takeaway Ashiana named the UK’s best in national curry awards

These prestigious awards, which were held this year in London on October 13, are a hallmark of the British curry industry and a platform to honour the exceptional chefs, takeaways, and restaurants that have set new standards in the trade and culinary sector, recognising the best curry houses and curry chefs on a national scale.

Ashiana Takeaway, which is owned and managed by Forhad Miah, opened on Wells Road in May 2023 and offers the ultimate in authentic and contemporary Bangladeshi cuisine.

Forhad Miah with the award for best takeaway (Image: submitted)

Mr Miah is delighted with his restaurant’s success and said: “It was a very surreal moment. We were up against some great businesses and there were so many acclaimed Chefs in the room that we were flabbergasted when they announced that our little Takeaway in Ilkley had won the title of Best Takeaway of the Year!

“I can’t thank our customers enough who have voted for us throughout this campaign. Although we are relatively new to Ilkley we have made some amazing customers and friends, and without their support this wouldn’t have been possible.

“I’d also like to thank our amazing chefs who have spent many hours in the kitchen preparing food to the highest standards. Without them, we wouldn’t have won. Their hard work and dedication has paid off and we are all overjoyed to bring the trophy back to Ilkley.”

You can visit their award-winning takeaway at 7 Wells Road, Ilkley, LS29 9JB.

Speaking after the 15th annual Curry Life awards ceremony, Curry Life Media Group Editor, Syed Belal Ahmed, said: "A major aim 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 - something that has always been a driving principle behind Curry Life itself.

“Over the many years we have been staging the awards, we have seen major improvements in standards and quality being offered to customers, to the point where several restaurants are now in a position to challenge for accolades such as Michelin stars.”

The awards event is an annual celebration of British curry houses, which have an annual turnover of over £4 billion.

Keynote speakers included Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting MP and Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE, Founder and Chairman of Cobra Beer and former President of the CBI.

Other guests included GB News presenter Camilla Tominey - who hosted the event - as well as Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Rushanara Ali MP, Charlotte Nichols MP and Jade Botterill MP.