Kelvedon Spice wins Essex Restaurant of the Year award

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 09:58 · Archive

Kelvedon Spice has been named Essex Restaurant of the Year at the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards 2026, held at the London Hilton in Park Lane on 12 October. The awards ceremony celebrated the UK's Asian restaurant and takeaway sector. The restaurant serves traditional Indian and Bangladeshi dishes, including tandoori specialities, biryanis and chef's dishes such as Roushon Chilli and Naga Chicken.

Two other Essex businesses received awards at the ceremony. Kusturi Indian Restaurant in Colchester won both Essex Chef of the Year and National Chef of the Year. Kaani Kaana in Upminster won both Essex Takeaway of the Year and National Takeaway of the Year. The awards attracted more than 1,250 nominees across the UK.

ARTA founder and chief executive Mohammed Munim said the awards recognised the sector's continued dedication. He stated that the industry represented 'far more than food' and was 'an integral part of multicultural Britain, supporting communities, creating employment and bringing extraordinary culinary experiences to diners across the country'.

Mr Munim also highlighted the pressures facing the sector. He said that despite continued customer demand, restaurants across the UK faced 'significant pressures from rising employment costs, food prices, energy bills and other operating costs'. He added that independent businesses continued to invest in quality and their teams, and that this 'resilience, creativity and determination deserve to be recognised and celebrated'.

The awards ceremony was hosted by TV news anchor Samantha Simmonds and comedian Paul Sinha.

How it is being reported

• The popular Indian restaurant named best in Essex at national food awardsKelvedon Spice, an Indian and Bangladeshi restaurant, wins Essex Restaurant of the Year at the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards 2026.Brentwood Guardian · 13 Oct, 09:50
• The popular Indian restaurant named best in Essex at national food awardsKelvedon Spice, an Indian and Bangladeshi restaurant, wins Essex Restaurant of the Year at the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards 2026.Echo (Basildon) · 13 Oct, 09:50
• The popular Indian restaurant named best in Essex at national food awardsKelvedon Spice, an Indian and Bangladeshi restaurant, wins Essex Restaurant of the Year at the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards 2026.Colchester Gazette · 13 Oct, 09:50

In this story: Kelvedon Spice · Kusturi Indian Restaurant · Kaani Kaana · Kelvedon · Colchester · Upminster · Mohammed Munim

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