Last week Chez Mumtaj in St Albans won the British Curry Award for the Best Spice Restaurant in the South East. The award was received by Chad Rahman, the owner of the Chez Mumtaj, at the ninth annual BCAs held in London. The event has grown since its inception and was this year attended by many high profile figures including the Prime Minister.

The curry industry covers 10,000 restaurants and 80,000 employees across the UK and contributes £3.6billion annually to the economy. The biggest curry awards in the UK, the BCA is a prestigious ceremony celebrating the best of British curry restaurants. The BCA has become well know across the hospitality industry, with the Prime Minster coining them the ʻCurry Oscarsʼ.

Speaking at the event, David Cameron said,
“The curry industry has been contributing, achieving and rising and that is the spirit we need more than ever in this country today. From the bottom of my heart, let me say thank you for everything you give to our country. Thank you for the tremendous kindness that you have shown me this evening, I wish this Great British industry every possible success in the years to come.”

After congratulating Chad on receiving his award at the ceremony Anne said,
“It is fantastic to have a St Albans winner. These awards are the pinnacle of the curry industry and will be a great boost not only to Chez Mumtaj, but also for the entire curry industry in St Albans. I am sure that St Albans must represent one of the most, if not the most, decorated areas for spice restaurants in the UK. It is another example of local businesses leading the way in excellence and I pay tribute to them in general and Chez Mumtaj in particular”.