A top UK chef has scooped a leading award for high-end authentic Indian restaurants.
Dev Biswal, the owner-chef of The Cook’s Tale restaurant in Canterbury plus The Cook’s Adventures tour company, has collected the prestigious Regional Indian Cuisine Championship accolade at the inaugural Indian Restaurant Awards in London.
This was the first international edition of the Indian Restaurant Congress & Awards, held on 28 May 28 at the Royal Lancaster London, marking the platform’s expansion after 15 years, from an India-focused industry event to a global hospitality authority.
The event’s key speakers included: Atul Kochhar, chef and restaurateur, Vivek Singh, Executive Chef, Cinnamon Collection, Cyrus Todiwala OBE – owner chef of Cafe Spice, Sameer Taneja, Executive Chef, Benares, Sanjay Chairman and Founder, Madhu’s, Kahani London among others.
Whereas there are now over 20 awards in the UK, all claiming to be the “Curry Oscars”, which tend to focus on typical high street curry, these Awards are focused on the high-end authentic Indian restaurants, with classically trained chefs.
Several of the finalists hold Michelin Stars, with most others aspiring to one.
Upon collecting his honour Biswal said: “This award is incredibly special because it recognises a cuisine that is still relatively unknown outside India.
“Odisha has one of the oldest and richest culinary traditions in the world, yet very few people in the UK have had the opportunity to experience it.
“Through The Cook’s Tale, my mission has always been to share the food, stories and hospitality of my homeland with our guests in Canterbury.
“To receive national recognition for championing regional Indian cuisine is both humbling and deeply rewarding.”
Other top awards went to Colonel Saab, Jamavar, Cinnamon Club, Kahani, Tresind and Koyal.
Presenting the awards Sachin Marya, Editorial Director, Restaurant India said: “This inaugural international edition marks a significant milestone for the Indian hospitality community.
“By bridging Indian heritage with global innovation, we are providing an unparalleled stage for business intelligence and networking that will propel the next generation of culinary excellence onto the world stage.”
“The name Cook’s Tale is taken from the character of the apprentice Perkyn Revelour, who is rather fond of wine, women and song”.
Dishes showcase much of the locality’s finest, sustainable local produce, is exclusively created using ingredients sourced from within 30 minutes of the kitchen.
Canterbury Experiences offers tailored ‘culinary pilgrimages’, taking in the local area’s beautiful countryside, working closely with local partners.
Restaurant India is the leading B2B media platform dedicated to the food and beverage industry. Through its digital presence, summits, and awards, it provides news, analysis, and networking opportunities for restaurant owners, chefs, and investors, consistently working toward powering the restaurant industry.
More
