Curry lovers from Gloucestershire looking for something to spice up their lives will no doubt be keen to learn two businesses from the county have won awards at a national event.

Fans of the curry can enjoy themselves whether they are staying on or going out, with one county establishment being crowned the best takeaway in the South West and one the best restaurant.

Restaurant of the Year South West went to an establishment long recognised as one of Gloucester's very best curry restaurants- Aroma, in Southgate Street.

And the title of Takeaway of the Year South West went to Rogan Josh, based at 26 Winchcombe St, Cheltenham.

Prakash Karnan, from Aroma, said: "We did not expect to win. We were runners up last year, but we were up against some very big restaurants.

"We have concentrated on serving tasty, traditional dishes, giving choice, focusing on quality and customer service. It is a credit to our staff and to our customers who have said some marvellous things about us."

"We have concentrated on serving tasty, traditional dishes, giving choice, focusing on quality and customer service. It is a credit to our staff and to our customers who have said some marvelous things about us."

Irfan Younis, chief executive officer of Oceanic Consulting - which organised The English Curry Awards 2019 and describes itself as the UK's leading ethnic awards company - said: "Congratulations to all winners and finalists. The night produced some memorable moments and we're delighted to have hosted such talented individuals."

The ninth English Curry Awards took place at the Birmingham Conference and Events Centre Holiday Inn Hotel.

The event was established to celebrate the best in the curry industry and recognise curry houses across England for their "graft, dedication and hospitality".

They honoured quality food and service across a variety of categories including Chef of the Year, The Best of Birmingham and Curry Entrepreneur of the Year.

The black tie event was hosted by DJ and radio presenter, Tommy Sandhu.

The night also saw the launch of 2020 English Curry Awards 'Queens in Curry Kitchens' campaign, held in association with Women in the Food Industry. The campaign encourages all curry houses across England to have at least one female member of staff by the 2020 awards.

The extensive list of winners are as follows:

Restaurant of the Year North West: Buraq (Preston)

Restaurant of the Year North East: Jaipur Exclusive Indian Restaurant & Takeaway (Newcastle upon Tyne)

Restaurant of the Year Yorkshire and the Humber: La La's Restaurant (Wakefield)

Restaurant of the Year East Midlands: Ashiana (Newark, Nottinghamshire)

Restaurant of the Year West Midlands: Roshni (Stoke-on-Trent)

Restaurant of the Year East of England: Spice lounge Restaurant (Mildenhall)

Restaurant of the Year South East: Masala City (Chichester)

Restaurant of the Year South West: Aroma (Gloucester)

Restaurant of the Year Overall Winner: Spice lounge Restaurant (Mildenhall)

Most Wanted Restaurant of the Year North West: Scene Indian Street Kitchen (Manchester)

Most Wanted Restaurant of the Year North East: Namaste Indian Restaurant (South Shields)

Most Wanted Restaurant of the Year Yorkshire and the Humber: Rice N Spice (Wakefield)

Most Wanted Restaurant of the Year East Midlands: Calcutta Club (Nottingham)

Most Wanted Restaurant of the Year West Midlands: Bombay Pickles (Stourbridge)

Most Wanted Restaurant of the Year East of England: Raja Restaurant (Cambridge)

Most Wanted Restaurant of the Year South East: The Snooty Mehmaan (Oxfordshire)

Most Wanted Restaurant of the Year South West: Urban Tandoor (Bristol)

Most Wanted Restaurant of the Year Overall Winner: Urban Tandoor (Bristol)

Takeaway of the Year North West: Spice Island (Bolton)

Takeaway of the Year North East: Dilshad Tandoori Indian Takeaway (Stakedord, Northumberland)

Takeaway of the Year Yorkshire and the Humber: Rice n Spice (Wakefield)

Takeaway of the Year East Midlands: Rikshaw Urban Indian Kitchen (Nottingham)

Takeaway of the Year West Midlands: Lime Pickle (Birmingham)

Takeaway of the Year East of England: Ali Spice Indian Takeaway (Norwich)

Takeaway of the Year South East: Ruchi Takeaway (Maidenhead)

Takeaway of the Year South West: Rogan Josh (Cheltenham)

Takeaway of the Year Overall Winner: Rogan Josh (Cheltenham)

Takeaway and Home Delivery of the Year North West: Hawali Indian Ltd (Burnley)

Takeaway and Home Delivery of the Year North East: The Viking Tandoori (Newcastle upon Tyne)

Takeaway and Home Delivery of the Year Yorkshire and the Humber: Ramzey's (Wakefield)

Takeaway and Home Delivery of the Year East Midlands: The Cinnamon Lounge (Harborough)

Takeaway and Home Delivery of the Year West Midlands: Chutney Express Takeaway (Birmingham)

Takeaway and Home Delivery of the Year: East of England: Stopsley Surma (Luton)

Takeaway and Home Delivery of the Year South East: Memories of India (Slough)

Takeaway and Home Delivery of the Year South West: Saffron Indian Takeaway (Wiltshire)

Takeaway and Home Delivery of the Year Overall Winner: Chutney Express Takeaway (Birmingham)

Chef of the Year North: The Original Third Eye (Manchester)

Chef of the Year East Midlands: Basmati Restaurant (Birmingham)

Chef of the Year South: Lalbagh Restaurant (Cambridge)

Chef of the Year Overall Winner: The Original Third Eye (Manchester)

Caterer of the Year North: Coriander Group (Eccles)

Caterer of the Year Midlands: Chef Vijay (Walsall)

Caterer of the Year South: Anu Caterers (Basingstoke)

Caterer of the Year Overall Winner: Anu Caterers (Basingstoke)

The Best of Manchester: Asha's Restaurant

The Best of Birmingham: Pushkar Cocktail Bar and Dining

Best Team of the Year: Indique (Manchester)

Best Restaurant Design & Ambience: Taj Tandoori (Cambridge)

Best Customer Service: Rumi By Bukhara (Liverpool)

Nepalese Restaurant of the Year: The Great Kathmandu Restaurant (Manchester)

Bangladeshi Restaurant of the Year: Little Bangla (Oldbury)

Outstanding Restaurant of the Year: Prana Indian Restaurant (Cambridge)

Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year: Navadhanya (Cambridge)

Street Food Restaurant of the Year: Dhaba at Fifteen (Norwich)

South Indian Restaurant of the Year: Tharavadu Restaurant (Leeds)

Vegetarian Restaurant of the Year: Chai Paani (Leicester)

Pakistani Restaurant of the Year: My Lahore Café (Birmingham)

New Restaurant of the Year: Dehli 6 (South Shields)

General Manager of the Year: Heritage India (Leicester)

Special Recognition Award: Calcutta Club (Nottingham)

Curry Entrepreneur of the Year: Sam Alhuwalia (Horley)

Curry Queen of the Year: Bollywood Junction (Milton Keynes)

Critics' Choice Restaurant of the Year: Shikara (Whitley Bay)

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