London Mayor Sadiq Khan praises Asian restaurateurs

Tamarind Indian restaurant in Kemsing, near Sevenoaks in Kent, has been named at the Asian Restaurant of the Year – Home Counties at the Asian Curry Awards.

Over 700 VIP guests including Ambassadors to London, High Commissioners, senior politicians from all major political parties and business leaders attended the Asian hospitality sector's most prestigious event, the Asian Curry Awards at the Grosvenor House in London's Mayfair recently.

These are the UK's only national restaurant awards which cover the entire spectrum of all Asian cuisines.

This year's Guest of Honour at the Awards, London Mayor Sadiq Khan praise the Asian restaurateurs contribution to our society, saying: “By bringing the best of Asian culinary traditions to these shores, these restaurant owners have expanded not only the choice of food available to the British public, but our very identity as an open, inclusive and multicultural nation.”

Khan also took the opportunity to attack the Government's 'wrongheaded' approach to immigration which is making it difficult to recruit the chefs and skilled workers businesses need, and he will call for a migration system that is flexible enough to ensure we can fill key jobs in our food and hospitality sectors.

Receiving his award Tamarind owner Suna Meah, said: “This is the best moment in my 30-year career in the hospitality business.”  He thanked

At the same awards in 2016, Tamarind received a highly commended accolade.

Since opening Tamarind four-and-a-half years ago, Meah has invested more than £200,000 refurbishing the property, transporting it from a takeaway to a 70-seater restaurant, employing 5 kitchen staff and 7 front of house.  He has ambitious plans to extend the building to cater for up to 120 customers, with a private dining area and a bar for pre-dinner drinks and takeaway customers.

Tamarind made the shortlist following the votes of hundreds of customers – mostly from local regulars, but significant numbers of motorsport fans, visiting the area to attend events at nearby Brands Hatch.

The Asian Curry Awards judges who visited the Kemsing restaurant in October, commented on the “exceptionally friendly service, and warm, lively ambience.”

The signature dishes of Chef Abdul Masum, who has worked with Suna Meah for over 20 years, came in for high praise, particularly the “perfectly rendered” Tandoori Salmon Tikka, “sumptuous” Bangladeshi King Prawn Zingha, in a rich tamarind sauce and “succulent, plump” Lamb Chop Achari.

The restaurant receives fresh daily deliveries from local suppliers including nearby Chart Farm and Dennis of Bexley, an award-winning local butcher.

Meah now plans to add a short, seasonally changing, fine dining menu using more local produce including Chart Farm venison and “a massive celebratory party, to thank our local customers for the lovely village of Kemsing, Otley and Seal, who voted for us in such numbers.

The full list of Asian Curry Awards winners can be viewed at www.asiancurryawards.com

Editors' Notes: 

The Asian Curry Awards shortlist was determined by over 100,000 votes from spice-loving members of the public.  A team of judges, led by Pat Chapman, editor of the Cobra Good Curry Guide, toured the country to determine the winners with preference shown to restaurants, with healthy, authentic regional dishes with modern gastro influences.

The Asian Curry Awards are design to recognise the best in the industry, encouraging ever higher standards and to inspire the next generation of chefs and restaurateurs to join this dynamic sector. The Awards are organised by the Asian Catering Federation (ACF) and the Federation of Bangladeshi Caterers UK, representing 35,000 UK restaurants and takeaways.

Tamarind is situated within the beautiful picturesque village of Kemsing. Guests are presented with exotic flavours and mouth-watering tastes with a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

The menu combines modern and traditional authentic flavours of Indian and fused it with a contemporary ethnic edge.

The restaurant's dedicated team of staff, owner Mr Miah and Head Chef M. R. Chowdhury have a wealth of experience in leading establishments.

The restaurant has a 5-star 'Scores on the Doors' hygiene rating and a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence.

Opening Times

5:00pm to 11:00pm 7 days a week

Tamarind Restaurant

3 The Parade

Dynes Road

Kemsing

Sevenoaks

Kent TN15 6RE

T: 01959 92 8413

E: info@tamarindfinedining.co.uk W: www.tamarindfinedining.co.uk

Photos and competition prizes available.  To review please call: 

Media Contact: George Shaw, Avocado Media

T: 01892 750851  M: 07860 695555  E:geo@avocadomedia.co.uk