GOOD CURRY AWARDS 2007
(19 November 2006)

The Good Curry guide Awards took place on Tuesday 19th December 2006 at Hilton Hotel, Park Lane London, and rewarded Britain's best curry houses and Indian restaurants, honouring their contribution and extraordinary achievements. Birmingham-based Indian restaurant Itihaas scooped two prestigious awards including the most coveted 'Best UK Indian Restaurant' and for 'Best in Midlands'.

The inspiration behind the Itihass estaurant is 28 year old Birmingham entrepreneur Raj Rana. With no previous catering experience and a business background in jewellery and property management he says “My vision was of a restaurant that was more than just somewhere to eat – I wanted it to envelop fantastic food, superb service and a unique environment, creating a place where fads and fashions are irrelevant. Itihaas is a pure labour of love for me and is simply one man’s interpretation of royal cuisine and royal service, yet still having a relaxed and informal atmosphere.”

With an expenditure of £2m on the building and furnishings, the ambience has an 18th and 19th century touch with sensational Indian artefacts and traditions of Mogul and Maharaja India with dishes influenced by North India, Mumbai, Chinese Fusion and Kenya.

Among other were winnder were central London restaurant the 'Mint Leaf' and Wembley's 'Brilliant'. Sanjay Anand the dynamic owner of Madhu's won the 'Best Outside Caterer' award and firm favourite Monty's of Ealing won 'Best Nepalese Restaurant'.

• Best UK Restaurant - Itihaas (in Birmingham)
• Best London Restaurant - Mint Leaf
• Best Indian Restaurant - Imli
• Best Nepalese Restaurant - Monty's
• Best Chef - Cafe Naz
• Best Sri Lankan - Elephant Walk
• Best Vegetarian - Chai Pani
• Best Newcomer - Moti Mahal and Victoria’s India (in Longridge, Lancashire)
• Best Punjabi - Brilliant Restaurant
• Best Outside Caterer - Sanjay Anand of Madhu

The awards were hosted by Good Curry Guide Editor and Curry Club founder Pat Chapman. Chapman’s, Good Curry Guide, first published in 1984 and now in its 9th edition, features over 1000 of the finest curry houses and Indian restaurants, hand picked from the 9,000 restaurants that now exist in the UK.

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