By Martin Banks

The identities of the UK’s top 50 Asian restaurants has been announced.

The top 50 venues will now be being whittled down to 10 eventual winners by a team of judges.

The winners will be feted at a glittering awards ceremony being help at the Dilly Hotel in London’s Mayfair on 2 December.

Good Curry Guide editor, George Shaw, the jury chair, said: “Those working in the Asian hospitality sector are a shining beacon of light showing the enrichment afforded by multiculturalism and the social cohesion enjoyed by most people in our towns and cities around the country.”

“These, the 10thAsian Food & Restaurant Awards (AFRA), are a significant landmark on a decade-long journey of celebrating culinary excellence.”

The Asian Food & Restaurant Awards is an annual event dedicated to recognising excellence across the Asian food and hospitality sector.

The awards celebrate outstanding achievements among restaurants, takeaways, chefs, food and drink brands, catering companies, retailers, and suppliers that have made an indelible mark on the eating habits of the British public.

Attul Haq, AFRA’s CEO, said: “The British-Asian food and hospitality industry plays a significant role in the UK economy and contributes greatly to the country’s cultural and economic growth.

“These awards highlight the contribution of the people and brands that are driving Britain’s food industry forward.”

Regarded by many as the most prestigious event in the UK’s Asian food calendar, this year’s AFRAs will be hosted by Bollywood star and radio presenter Anushka Arora.

The Awards, staged by Samara Events, are supported by Taste Asia, Madhu’s, Cobra Beer, Sunrise Radio, Punjab TV, Brit Punjabi, Do Care and PayTap.

The nominees are:

Andhra – Nottingham

Babur – London

Benares – London

Café Spice Namaste – Docklands

Cho Asia – Putney

Charcoals – Glasgow

Chatwala – Leicester

The Cook’s Tale – Canterbury

The Cook’s Adventures – Canterbury

Club India – Wokingham

Delhi 6 – South Shields

Guru – Belfast

Heritage – Dulwich

iNaga – Bromley

Indian Essence- Tunbridge Wells

Indian Summer – Brighton

The International – Bradford

Jumeira – Kent

Kasa & Kin – Soho

Kahani – London

Kebabish – Blackburn

Kesarum – Southampton

Kutir – Chelsea

Kumquat – Tunbridge Wells

Light of Bengal – Liverpool

Madhu’s – Southall

Maha Bharat – Devon

Mango Lounge – Windsor

MITR – Royston

My Delhi – Newcastle

Namak – South Woodford

Navadanya – Cambridge

Opheem – Birmingham

Orissa – Donington Castle

Panache – Elgin

Panas Ghurka – Blackheath

Purple Poppadom – Cardiff

Raaz – Putney

Raval – Gateshead

Rajdoot – Manchester

Raj Kitchen – Swansea

Red Fort – Caernarfon

Shahbaaz – Aberdeen

Tanishq – Ongar

Tayyabs – East London

Urban Tandoor – Bristol