by Graham Tutthill

gtutthill@thekmgroup.co.uk

Staff at a Dover curry restaurant are celebrating after it was named as one of the best in the country, for the eighth successive year.

The Light of India was honoured at an awards ceremony held at the Battersea Evolution Complex, London.

This year there were a record 270,000 public nominations, with only 108 restaurants recognised for their excellence in fine cuisine.

The Light of India is the only restaurant in Kent to win the coveted award eight years’ running and only one of two restaurants in Kent to be shortlisted in the South East region.

The ceremony that awards top honours to all those who have made the curry industry proud was co-hosted by BBC presenter Jenny Bond and celebrity impersonator Rory Bremner.

The awards are open to all restaurants serving Indian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Sri Lankan or Nepalese cuisine and a panel of judges secretly visited the restaurants that were nominated to carry out inspections.

The winners were judged on several aspects including menu choice, wine list, exterior and interior decor and plate presentation. With over 270,000 nominations from diners around the country, the 2012 British Curry Awards was hotly anticipated and culminated in a glamorous finale to the countdown of the year.

Prime Minister David Cameron, who spoke via video link at the event, said: “It’s often said that curry is Britain’s national dish and it’s easy to see why.

It’s not just the flavour served up in the thousands of the curry restaurants across the country, it is the welcome too. Those who work in the curry industry enliven Britain’s high streets, boost local economies and contribute to local communities.”

Staff at the Light of India are delighted by the recognition of their continued hard work in bringing together the finest Indian food and excellent service.

Manager Nurul Islam praised his team’s success and also thanked the restaurant’s many customers who nominated them for the award.

“We have been in Dover for 28 years and I am proud to be the only restaurant in Kent to have won the award eight times in succession,” said Mr Islam.

Bookings can be made at the Light of India on 01304 210666 or 241066.

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