British Curry Awards 2021: the Birmingham restaurant named best in the West Midlands

Pushkar in Birmingham has been named the best restaurant in the West Midlands at the annual British Curry Awards.

The Broad Street cocktail bar, restaurant and takeaway won the prestigious accolade at a ceremony in London last week.

The awards are voted for by the public each year, and the owner and staff of Pushkar were delighted when their name was announced by Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan, who attended virtually to present the award.

Pushkar owner Rai Singh, who launched the diner in November 2009, attended the curry awards with a number of his staff.

After winning, he said:“Just to be shortlisted for this award is very good, but it means a lot to win it. We didn’t expect it.

“You have to be nominated by the public and then there’s a panel of judges who send mystery diners to the restaurants.

“They include hospitality heads, wine merchants, and they scrutinise everything. They look at the whole package, menus, ingredients, the lot.”

Mr Singh said it was a “very nice surprise” when Abhishek Bachchan read out their name.

“We need this award to boost our trade because we’ve struggled with things such as the pandemic and roadworks. It’s been challenging.”

Westside BID general manager Mike Olley also praised Pushkar after its win.

Mr Olley, said: “Our heartiest congratulations go to Pushkar Restaurant for this outstanding award.

“We pride ourselves on providing a top quality dining experience here on Westside, and this deserved recognition for Pushkar is testament to that.”

How are the awards judged?

A nationwide nominations process to honour the nation’s top curry houses is led by the local patrons of curry houses on the streets of Britain, annually invited to nominate their favourite Asian restaurants and takeaways.

The process of public nominations is done to create an authentic list of the nation’s favourite Asian eateries, based on the opinions of the public.

There is then a vrigorous vetting process by an independent panel of judges. This year’s ceremony had particular significance, given the challenges faced by the industry over the past 18 months of the pandemic, and acknowledged the industry’s spirit and resilience through difficult business and personal circumstances. The industry has seen many leaders, pioneers, restaurateurs and staff tragically lose their lives to Covid.

And this year’s ceremony paid tribute to those that have passed away.

The full list of winners

• Best Restaurant Scotland: Dishoom, 3A St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 2BD
• Best Restaurant North East: Mumtaz Restaurant, 386-410 Great Horton Road, Bradford BD7 3HS
• Best Restaurant North West: Asha’s, 47 Peter Street, Manchester M2 3NG
• Best Restaurant East Midlands: Montaz Newmarket, 30 Old Station Road, Newmarket CB8 8DN
• Best Restaurant West Midlands: Pushkar Restaurant, 245 Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2HQ
• Best Restaurant Wales: Purple Poppadom, 185a Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff CF11 9AJ
• Best Restaurant South East: Chez Mumtaz, Centurian House 136-142 London Road, St Albans AL1 1PQ
• Best Restaurant South West: Prithvi Restaurant, 37 Bath Road, Cheltenham GL53 7HG
• Best Restaurant London Central & City: Benares, 12a Berkeley Square, Mayfair W1J 6BS
• Best Restaurant London – Outer & Suburbs: Shampan Bromley, 38 Chatterton Road, Bromley BR2 9QN
• Best Newcomer: Mathura Restaurant, 4 Greycoat Place, London SW1P 1SB
• Best Delivery Restaurant/Takeaway: Maliks Express Kitchen, Shop 5, Marsham Way, Gerrards Cross SL9 8AB
• Most Innovative Restaurant Concept: Khai Khai Indian Restaurant, 29 Queen Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 3UG

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