A RESTAURANT was voted one of the best curry restaurants in the UK.

The Voujon Indian Restaurant, Stanford Road, Orsett, was one of 11 curry restaurants to receive official recognition as the best restaurants in the country by Curry Life Magazine.

The awards are widely regarded as the authoritative voice of the Curry Industry in Great Britain.

Shaistha Miah and Sayed Imam two owners from Voujon were at the Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel, London to receive their accolade.

Mr Miah said: "To win this title is the greatest vote of confidence I could wish for, not just for myself but for my team who work so hard to make things happen at the Voujon Indian Restaurant.

"The award will inspire us to keep improving and I'd also like to thank all our customers for their help putting us on the map."

The Curry Life Awards and Gala Dinner celebrated the UK’s official national dish Chicken Tikka Masala, giving visitors the chance to find out more about an industry serving 2.5 million customers a week.

Guest of honour at the Awards Ceremony was the Rt Hon Priti Patel MP, Secretary of State for International Development.

She said: "Curry Life Magazine's annual awards ceremony is a great opportunity to celebrate the enormous talent that is on display around the country and the success of the Great British Curry!

“My congratulations go to all the deserving winners."

Curry Life Awards regular sponsor, Lord Karan Bilimoria, founder and chairman of Cobra Beer, said: "There is no doubt that curry is the nation's favourite food and behind the great tastes of curry, are great craftsmen.

“We are all in an awe of what the chefs do and I applaud them for producing some of the most exotic food in the world at the cheapest prices.

"Those chefs and restaurants who have been awarded by Curry Life, deserve to be congratulated for their hard work and achievements."

Syed Belal Ahmed, the editor of Curry Life Magazine, which organises the annual awards ceremony, said: "It was a fantastic evening and a great way to recognise and celebrate the skills and talents of our Curry

Industry.

"Events like this, illustrate the strength of our love as a nation for Curry. I would like to congratulate the much deserving winners of this year's Curry Life Awards."

Guests of the Curry Life Awards were treated to some spectacular entertainment in a glittering awards ceremony, hosted by celebrity master chef finalist, journalist and broadcaster Louise Minchin.