West Midland restaurants curry favour at food awards

BIRMINGHAM Indian restaurant Itihaas has been named the best in the West Midlands in a major awards ceremony.

The Jewellery Quarter venue received its honour at the British Curry Awards in a ceremony held at London’s Battersea Evolution.

PR guru Max Clifford presented a delighted Ricky Rana, executive director of the Itihaas Group with the golden statuette in recognition of its achievement.

The winners were judged on several aspects including menu choice, wine list, exterior and interior decor and plate presentation.

Established in 2005, Itihaas has expanded from its Jewellery Quarter origins to become a preferred supplier of Asian food to four and five star venues across the West Midlands and the London areas with customers including the Principal Hayley group, Q hotels and the Hilton group.

However, its success was not the only recognition bestowed on the West Midlands as Walsall-based restaurant Five Rivers A La Carte was announced as Newcomer of the Year.

Restaurant group sales & marketing director Shamim HM said: “We were honoured to have won the Hello Curry Awards earlier this year, let alone to go on to win Newcomer of the Year at such a prestigious awards ceremony as the British Curry Awards. I am extremely proud of everyone who has worked so very hard to get us here, particularly our group executive chef, Rashpal Sunner, whose amazing talent and skill has gained Five Rivers such high praises, and we hope the success continues.”