Addressing an audience of ambassadors, high commissioners, senior politicians, embassy officials, journalists and business owners, Yawar Khan, Chairman of the Asian Catering Federation, which organises the Awards and acknowledged the generosity of Federation members, who donated thousands of takeaways to frontline NHS staff, key workers, the elderly and the vulnerable.

Khan spoke of the sector’s resilience and innovation in the face of such adversity, but predicted, “The days of the cheap Friday night curry are coming to end,” in the face of steeply rising costs and severe staff shortages,” but assured that, “There is no shortage of customers willing to pay for a superior product.”

He said the supply of cheap labour from Eastern Europe, the Indian subcontinent and Asia are over.  With the Government committed to the UK becoming a high skill, high wage economy. 

Khan indicated that the sector will have to improved pay and conditions – including the occasional weekends off – which is virtually unknown in the curry business.  Restaurants will need to enhance the overall dining experience, compete on quality not price and upskill their staff with structured training programmes and career progression.  Restaurateurs were encouraged to think about how to attract customers across the week and throughout the day – when more staff are available to hire.

Andrew Kenny, Managing Director of Just Eat UK, headline sponsors of the awards said: “Just Eat has worked closely with the Asian Catering Federation for a number of years. As we begin to recover from the pandemic, I’m delighted to celebrate our partnership by helping to recognise the fantastic achievements of those in our industry who have worked tirelessly through the last 18 months and continue to do so.”

The Asian Curry Awards are the only national accolades open to the full range of diverse Asian cuisines.