Two Kent eateries have been recognised as being some of the best in the UK.

Sher-E-Bangla, an Indian takeaway in Station Road, Longfield, and the Dining Room, an Indian restaurant in Leysdown Road, Leysdown, were awarded at the annual Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards (ARTA).

ARTA is the most prestigious celebration of Pan Asian cuisine in the UK, honouring Asian restaurants all over the country.

Sher-E-Bangla walked away with Regional Takeaway of the Year and Sheppey’s Dining Room was named Fine Dine Restaurant of the Year.

The Dining Room is owned by 40-year-old Nasir Chowdhury who opened the restaurant in 2021.

His son, Khalid Choudhury, explained that their family-run business was selected by judges out of more than 1,000 restaurants that entered the awards in June.

He said: “We were quite surprised when we’d made it to the final four in our category.

“During the first stage, customers had to vote for us and the judges came to our restaurant to have a look around and try our food. Of course, at the time, we didn’t know who they were or when they turned up.

“It was a big honour for our business, especially as we were being marked on our customer service and food quality.”

Following their winning, the Dining Room posted about their success online.

Khalid continued: “Our customers have been phenomenal, they’ve been showing their support and sending us messages.

“The video of us accepting our award is also the most viewed on the ARTA page which is amazing.”

The 19-year-old explained that the restaurant was due to open before the pandemic, however, the Covid-19 outbreak halted their plans.

He added: “We took a big hit after the pandemic. At one point we were only open on a Friday and a Saturday.

“But it is good to see that things are getting better.”

For this year's celebration the award ceremony, which took place on Sunday, October 8, at Hilton Park Lane, London, had a guest list of the nation’s most popular Asian restaurateurs alongside MPs, dignitaries, and celebrities.

When asked why he thought his family’s business won the award Khalid said: “We want to provide the best culinary experience.

“South Asian flavours are diverse and it’s good to show the level of food we are producing.”

The ceremony was hosted by TV presenters, Samantha Simmonds and Paul Martin, who also entertained the guests with a magic tricks show.

Interspersing the awards presentation was a curated world-class entertainment, including a performance by singer Kavya Limaye and Ujaan Mukherjee, both performed live and delighted the audience with their talent.

ARTA founder, Mohammed Munim, said: "I would like to congratulate all of the winners and finalists of ARTA 2023.

“As the first and foremost award ceremony to honour the finest of the UK's Asian restaurant and takeaway industry, we salute your resilience and fortitude as you continue to serve diners and customers across the UK in particularly challenging circumstances.

“The UK’s popular Asian restaurant industry, synonymous with taking operational and business challenges such as staff shortages and the Covid pandemic head on, now faces a new set of challenges - the current cost of living crisis.

“The cost of supplies, ingredients, and energy have risen significantly while customers are also facing tightened household budgets.

“In this tough situation, ARTA once again honours the UK’s best Asian restaurants and takeaways who continue to deliver the best in the restaurant and home dining in these tough circumstances.

“ARTA recognises this industry, which is the result and displays the successes of multiculturalism in the UK."

ARTA is the only official award that recognises, promotes, and celebrates the immense importance and popularity of the Pan Asian catering industry in the UK, as determined by its consumers.