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30th June 2021

Asian & Oriental Chef Awards announces overall winner

Written by: Edward Waddell
Mohamed Najib Ali of the Maya Bar & Restaurant in Atherstone in the Midlands, has been crowned the winner of the Asian & Oriental Chef Awards in London.

Eight contestants took part in a live cook-off event at the University of West London on 21 June to determine the winner. The contestants were drawn from hundreds of public nominations for their favourite chefs who were then invited to submit a proposed two-course meal with photos of the dishes.

Commenting on the standard of entries, Asian Catering Federation (ACF) chairman Yawar Khan, who organised the awards, said: “The pandemic has been devastating for the hospitality industry, but more forward-thinking chefs used their enforced lockdown to considerable effect, experimenting with different ingredients and taste fusions. The results have greatly impressed the judges today.”

All ACF awards are open to professional chefs working in Bangladeshi, Burmese, Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Malaysian, Middle Eastern, Pakistani, Singaporean, Sri Lankan, Thai, Turkish and Vietnamese restaurants and takeaways. The sector employs over 100,000 people and contributes more than £5Bn to the UK economy.

The regional awards went to:  

  • Kamrul Hoque of Kushi in Romford - the overall runner-up, who was also named Best Indian Chef (London Suburbs)
  • Daya Sharma Dulwich Heritage, West Dulwich, Best Indian  Chef (South London)
  • Mohammed Al Amin Ali, Millennium Balti, Royal Leamington Spa, Best Indian Chef (Midlands)
  • Maratree Melross, Guard House, Royston, Best Thai Chef (Midlands)
  • Jackie Chan of Golden Dragon, Bethnal Green, Best Chinese Chef (East London)
  • Humayun Rashid, Kushi, Best Indian (Essex)
  • Danny Yeung, Mandarin Palace, Hornchurch, Best Chinese (Essex)

The winners will be celebrated at a special presentation dinner at the House of Lords on 7 September hosted by Lord Sheikh.