Red India in Uppingham named ‘Best Restaurant’ at National Curry Awards and Bangaldeshi chef Abdul Hannan secures another win
A town is on its way to becoming the area's curry capital after two award wins for restauranteurs.
Red India of Stockerston Road, Uppingham, was named ‘Curry House of the Year’ at the National Curry Awards 2024 held at The House of Lords in Westminster.
Owner Rashid Ahmed said they were excited about the win although news of their victory had proved confusing at first.
“When a member of staff took a phone call from the National Curry Awards organisers, they thought it was a prank,” he said.
“But after calling back, it was confirmed to us that it was genuine.”
Rashid said they were stunned by the news, which came as a complete surprise.
National Curry Awards judges choose restaurants to visit as mystery diners based on their ‘scores on the door’, before rating the food, service and ambience.
The aim of the awards is to celebrate culinary excellence and cultural heritage.
Rashid added: “It is my staff who make it the restaurant what it is. Customers praise their dedication and seem to appreciate the ‘old school’ manners - we address customers as ‘sir’ and ‘madam’, something that seems to have been lost elsewhere.”
The menu at Red India includes friendly touches such as specials dishes named in reference to long-standing customers, including one called ‘Captain Kirk’.
The restaurant, which has been open 12 years, also caters well to the local demographic, such as offering a Christmas curry menu in December with a set-price menu to make ordering easy for office outings and family gatherings.
On hand to present the award to Rashid on behalf of his staff was the Lord Mayor of Westminster Robert Rigby.
Robert said: “It is wonderful to see this awards recognise the hard work of those who bring such us exquisite food, and to see the National Curry Awards’ own hard work inspiring new generations to help keep the UK’s curry and Asian catering industries thriving for many centuries more.”
Meanwhile, multi-award winner Abdul Hannan, who runs Hannan’s Spicy Cuisine in Ayston Road, Uppingham, has secured a new prize in the Bangladesh Caterers Association Awards.
Abdul has two restaurants, and in previous years he has picked up awards for his Rutland takeaway.
This time it was the turn of Hannan’s Restaurant in Evesham Road, Leicester, to claim glory - it was named Restaurant of the Year 2024.
Abdul said he was delighted that both of his restaurants are highly regarded, and puts the winning formula down to experienced staff and loyal customers.
