Pervin Todiwala wins Inspirational Woman Award at British Curry Awards

Café Spice Namaste co-founder Pervin Todiwala was awarded the Inspirational Woman Award at this year’s British Curry Awards.

The virtual ceremony was hosted by comedian Rory Bremner with winners including Atul Kochhar’s Kanishka in London’s Mayfair, Gulu Anand’s Brilliant restaurant in London’s Southall and Salim Choudhury, president of the British Bangladeshi Caterers Association.

Enam Ali, founder of the British Curry Awards, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to keep the Curry Oscars going even through this traumatic time. The winners this year are among the most exceptional we have known, feeding our friends, loved ones, and those who have defended us throughout this awful pandemic.

“More broadly, it’s extraordinary how the whole industry has kept so many people fed this year. The great British curry is not only central to British life, it is a key part of seeing us through this pandemic. As an industry worth around £5b, we also have a crucial role to play in the recovery.”

Andrew Kenny, the UK managing director of British Curry Awards sponsor Just Eat, said: “It’s been a very challenging year for the hospitality sector and we are so proud to help celebrate the exceptional people within our industry who have been working tirelessly throughout, not just by feeding the nation but providing so much vital support to their local communities.”

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan added: “It has been an extremely difficult year for curry restaurants who have faced immense challenges as a result of the Covid pandemic. Restaurateurs and their staff have shown extraordinary resilience and worked tirelessly to adapt and provide a safe environment for their customers while continuing to deliver excellent service throughout these uncertain times. Yet despite these difficult times, it is heartwarming that many restaurateurs have gone out of their way to provide a vital helping hand to those in need during the pandemic.”

This year's winners included:

• Best London restaurant in the pandemic: Kanishka, London Mayfair
• Inspirational Woman Award: Pervin Todiwala, Café Spice Namaste, London
• Entrepreneur Award: Jalf Ali Dabbawal, Khai Khai, Newcastle
• Family restaurant team of the year: Brilliant restaurant, London Southall
• Inspirational person: Dabirul Islam Choudhury
• Outstanding service to local community in the pandemic: Zakir Khan, Zyka restaurant, Reading
• Special recognition for media coverage of the curry industry: Mohammad Jubair, chief reporter, Channel 5
• Best takeaway during the pandemic: British Raj, Royston, Hertfordshire
• Outstanding service during the pandemic: The Radhuni, Loanhead, Midlothian; Saffron restaurant, Northampton; Urban Tandoor, Bristol
• Leadership award in the pandemic: Salim Choudhury, president, British Bangladeshi Caterers Association
• Unsung Chef Award: Rahman Shah, Eastleigh