In a hurry for a good curry?

The Tamarind Indian restaurant in Kemsing, near Sevenoaks, has been named as the best curry house in the Home Counties at the Asian Restaurant of the Year Awards in London.

More than 700 guests including senior politicians from all major political parties attended the event at Grosvenor House in Mayfair where the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan praised the Asian restaurateurs' contribution to society, saying: “By bringing the best of Asian culinary traditions to these shores, these restaurant owners have expanded not only the choice of food available to the British public, but our very identity as an open, inclusive and multicultural nation.”

Tamarind owner Suna Meah picked up his award, saying: “This is the best moment in my 30-year career in the hospitality business.”

Mr opened Tamarind four years ago, investing more than £200,000 refurbishing the property, transporting it from a takeaway to a 70-seater restaurant. He now employs five kitchen staff and seven front-of-house staff.

He has ambitious plans to extend the building to cater for up to 120 customers, with a private dining area and a bar for pre-dinner drinks and takeaway customers.

Tamarind was shortlisted following the votes of hundreds of customers – mostly from local regulars, but with a significant number of motor sport fans from the nearby Brands Hatch circuit.

Judges visited the restaurant in October and noted its “exceptionally friendly service, and warm, lively ambience.”

Chef Abdul Masum, who has worked with Mr Meah for over 20 years, came in for high praise, particularly for his “perfectly rendered” Tandoori Salmon Tikka, “sumptuous” Bangladeshi King Prawn Zingha, in a rich tamarind sauce and “succulent, plump” Lamb Chop Achari.

The Tamarind Restaurant at 3 The Parade, Dynes Road, Kemsing, is open from 5pm till 11pm seven days a week.

For booking details, click here.

For a full list of Asian Curry Awards winners click here.