The chef of a much-loved restaurant, who learned the art of cooking from his grandmother when he was just eight years old, has been awarded Chef of the Year at the prestigious 12th Asian Curry Awards - a category that takes into consideration the whole of the UK, not just Wales. He joins a whole host of Welsh winners at the ceremony which celebrates the industry's best Asian and Oriental cuisines.
Neil Patel works as head chef at the family-run Vegetarian Food Studio - which has been celebrated by these awards before; in 2020 and 2021 they won Best Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurant of the Year - and owns the highly-rated restaurant with his father, Jim Patel.
He began his culinary journey cooking alongside his grandmother, Sharda, as a boy as she served dishes at the temple where the family workshipped. Now, over two decades on, the restaurant is a firm favourite amongst the Grangetown commmunity - and further afield - and it shows in the many awards the family-run business has been honoured with - they have also won national recognition in The Sunday Times, Guardian, and Daily Telegraph for their food.
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Vegetarian Food Studio's chef isn't the only Wales-based foodie to receive gongs at the national awards. Restaurants Sheesh Mahal in Llanelli and Ijazz in Wrexham both won, respectively, Best Restaurant in the north and south of Wales.
Ijazz took to its Facebook to tell its loyal customers the "great news".
It said: "Ijazz Indian restaurant has achieved another Prestigious Award in London today has become a Best Indian Restaurant in North Wales on Asian Curry Awards 2022 !! Thanks to all the loyal customers and hard working staffs , without your support that wouldn't have happened!!"
Barry takeaway Tiffin Rasoi won the Takeaway of the Year for its local region (Glamorgan) as did Bayleaf Bangaldeshi Express Kitchen for Newport.
Announcing the news to its Instagram following, Tiffin Rasoi wrote: "We're absolutely delighted to share that we have WON the ‘Takeaway of the Year’ National Award last night at the Asian Curry Awards 2022, which was held at the iconic JW Marriott Grosvenor House, Mayfair, London.
"We absolutely couldn't have done it without our fantastic customers! A very special 'THANK YOU' from all of us here at Tiffin Rasoi for your support."
Bayleaf also posted their delight on Facebook, writing alongside a collection of pictures: "Bayleaf Award Winner. We're absolutely delighted to share that we have WON the ‘Takeaway of the Year’ award last night at the Asian Curry Awards 2022, which was held at the iconic Grosvenor House, Mayfair.
"We absolutely couldn't have done it without our fantastic customers! A very special 'THANK YOU' from all of us here at Bayleaf Risca for your support especially during these hard times. A special thanks to the Asian Catering Federation judges. From everyone at Bayleaf, a huge thank you."
Taking over from Vegetarian Food Studio's previous winning streak, Albany Road favourite, Anna Loka, also took home the prize for Best Vegetarian and Vegan restaurant in Wales.
These incredible winners follow in the footsteps of a number of other award ceremonies in which the best of the culinary industry is celebrated.
Recently, we have seen winners for the ARTA, AA Hospitality, The Golden Chopstick Awards and Curry Life Awards unveiled.
Lokky's was crowned Best in Wales at the GCAs, The Grand Sultan in Port Talbot won Restaurant of the Year: Wales and Elaichi in Camarthen took home Regional Chef of the Year: Wales at the ARTAs. Royal Balti in Barry took home gong for Best Curry Takeaway 2022 and a number of Welsh hospitality businesses, such as The Grove in Narberth and Gem 42 in Newport were recognised at the AA Hospitality Awards..
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