Three months after he was left battered and bruised by thugs, top chef Jamal Ahmed and his restaurant have landed a top curry award.

The Shozna in Maidstone Road, Rochester, was named the South East's Best South Asian Restaurant of the Year at the Asian Curry Awards, which were presented at the Hilton hotel in Park Lane, London, on Sunday night.

Mr Ahmed, known as Jay to family friends and customers, attended the ceremony with brother Jalal and cousin Rose Ahmed – who runs the sister-restaurant, Humayra Indian Takeaway in Sittingbourne - and the group were among an audience packed with top industry names.

The restaurant owner thanked everyone who voted for the Shozna and believes the support of the public following the brawl at the Shozna at the end of July has been critical to his success.

"Within six weeks we had 14,800 visits to the Facebook page," he said. "So it’s turned a negative into a positive, this is the reality."

Mr Ahmed is no stranger to awards having picked up various chef of the year titles, but said winning on Sunday was "the icing on the cake".

"I’ve been here 20 years and I’ve just worked hard," he said , explaining his success. "I enjoy what I do. You have to enjoy your profession to get the best out of it.

"I’m still improving."

Mystery diners from the Asian Curry Awards scheme visited the restaurant before representatives came in to say the restaurant had been nominated.

The ceremony itself was hosted by TV newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky, and entertainment included traditional music, while guests enjoyed top class Asian food.

Four men arrested in connection with the fight in July have been bailed until November 25.