A POPULAR restaurant in York has been toasted at a celebration of the best of British curry.

The Bangladesh Caterers Association (BCA) has unveiled the top 11 UK regional winners of its Restaurant of the Year awards, chosen from hundreds of entrants.

Mumbai Lounge in Fossgate was crowned the BCA Best Regional Restaurant of the Year 2021.

The winners were judged on their innovation, presentation of food, hygiene standards and customer service.

Restaurant owner Rakib Ali said: “Winning this award is a proud moment. It recognises the talent of our chefs and the contribution we are making to this industry. We are thrilled to be ‘curry champions’ and we have worked hard to win.Now we need people locally to come and experience our food and restaurant.”

The BCA Awards, now in their 15th year, were held at O2, having been disrupted last year due to the global pandemic.

The ceremony was co-hosted by Samantha Simmonds, BBC News presenter and Gary Newbon, Sky Sports presente.

This year’s awards fall in the BCA’s Diamond Anniversary. BCA has been representing the Bangladeshi curry industry in Britain since 1960.

Mitu Choudhury, secretary general of the BCA, said:: “Our awards are a celebration of the Bangladeshi curry industry, shining a light on great local curry houses serving great food.

"These winners are creating some of the best curries in the country and we need to support them.”