Eight Kent takeaways and restaurants are vying to be crowned among the UK's best kebab shop after being shortlisted in a national awards.

Businesses across the county have made it to the finals of the 11th British Kebab Awards, after being nominated across 20 categories.

Last year, Kent saw two of its kebab eateries win the coveted awards, with A La Turka in Ramsgate taking home the best customer service title, and Tacim Yetis, who's head chef at Galata Mezze in Sittingbourne, winning chef of the year.

Tacim has once again been nominated for the prestigious prize, but for his work at Dedem restaurant in Bromley, which has also been nominated for best kebab restaurant in south and east London.

Ramsgate's A La Turka returns this year but with hopes to win the fine dining restaurant award, while its sister restaurant in St Dunstan's Street in Canterbury is up for the best value restaurant award - a category Mivan in Gravesend has also been nominated for.

King Kebab and Pizza in Herne Bay and Master Kebabs in Gillingham have both been nominated for best regional takeaway and Kaya Meze in Rochester could take home the prize for best newcomer outside London.

Finally, Thanet Kebab and Pizza in Ramsgate is shortlisted for JustEat's best delivery award.

Judges for this year's awards include Conservative minister Nadhim Zahawi, LBC broadcaster James O’Brien, Labour MP Carolyn Harris, assistant general secretary of Unite Steve Turner, SNP MP Angus Brendan MacNeil, star of ‘Citizen Khan’ Adil Ray, and David Galman from Galliard Homes.

The winners will be revealed at a ceremony at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel on February 28, with invites sent to the likes of Rishi Sunak, Keir Starmer, Nicola Sturgeon, Mark Drakeford and Ed Davey.

The awards are run in association with JustEat and supported by the Kebab Alliance.

Founder of the British Kebab Awards, Ibrahim Dogus, said: “Kebab eateries are a key part of the local community and it’s great to see so many entries at the end of a year that has tested every business operating in the hospitality sector.

"Getting to the shortlist is a real achievement given the competition across the country and all outlets should be rightly proud. We wish all finalists the best of luck.”

Nadhim Zahawi MP, Chairman of the Conservative Party, said: “When I sponsored the first Kebab Awards nearly 13 years ago, I never would have thought it would have turned into such a Westminster fixture.

"But these awards are also a recognition of a massive industry that contributes so much to communities up and down the country. I'm looking forward to another wonderful evening.”

There are about 20,000 kebab shops in the UK which support 200,000 jobs and bring £2.8 billion of revenue into the economy each year.

More than 1.5 million kebabs are sold everyday.