FOOD + DRINK
BRITISH CURRY AWARDS 2022 SUCCESS FOR SHAMPAN AT THE SPINNING WHEEL
Shampan at the Spinning Wheel , the Westerhambased flagship restaurant of the renowned Shampan Group , has been crowned champion in the Best in The South East category at the celebrated British Curry Awards 2022 .
A credit to the restaurant ’ s excellence and ongoing success , this is the fourth time that Spinning Wheel has won in the same category , having triumphed previously in 2012 , 2013 and 2015 .
Headed by the group ’ s managing director Sufian Miah , the Shampan staff members , who were present at the awards , could not have been more elated to have picked up the esteemed trophy .
“ I think we were all pleasantly shocked at being announced as the winner ,” said Miah . “ We were among a great list of restaurants and it ’ s a privilege and an honour to be nominated with them . The accolade really belongs to all the Shampan team though , who have continued to work hard , kept believing and kept moving forward , particularly during the harsh COVID period which has had such a drastic impact on the restaurant sector over a long period of time . Coupled with the current downturn of the economic climate , we are very fortunate to have a worthy brand name , a superlative reputation based on our first-rate food , drinks , affable service and a spacious and eye-catching interior with expansive dining rooms that our guests have been giving us a loyal following for many years .”
The 18th annual ceremony of the ‘ Curry Oscars ’, as dubbed by former Prime Minister David Cameron , which also crowned Bromley ’ s Copper Ceylon as Best Restaurant London South East , was not without a tinge of sadness as it was the first without its founder Enam Ali MBE FRSA , who sadly passed away earlier this year .
Acknowledging his restaurant ’ s win , Miah paid a touching tribute to the late Ali : “ The curry restaurant sector is hugely indebted to Enam Ali whose legacy and tireless work to take the industry to unparalleled heights will not be forgotten . He has left behind a tremendous legacy and he will be sorely missed .”
ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR ACCLAIM FOR FUDGE KITCHEN MD
The Great British Entrepreneur Awards , which acknowledges and champions the hard work and uplifting stories of business owners across the UK with an emphasis on their journey and resilience as opposed to just financial achievements , has crowned Sián Holt , MD of Fudge Kitchen , Entrepreneur of the Year .
Sián , who triumphed as one of over 5,300 entrants - the most the awards had ever seen - has been at the helm of Fudge Kitchen for almost 30 years . Having established the business in 1983 , and buying it outright in 1995 , what started out as a handful of fudge shops is now a fully fledged artisan confectionery business with an extensive product offering , a strong wholesale network and own label production for some of the UK ’ s most prestigious hotels and department stores , all underpinned with Sián ’ s mission for Fudge Kitchen to ‘ Make Life Sweeter ’.
Commenting on the award , Sián said : “ It ’ s fantastic to have been recognised in these awards . The last few years have been challenging for all business leaders , and at Fudge Kitchen we ’ ve had to make some really big business changes to remain competitive and resilient . I think we have come through the other side stronger than ever and with new direction as a brand , putting increased importance on how we can operate more sustainably going forward . I look forward to the next decade at the forefront of luxury confectionery and seeing where we take Fudge Kitchen next .”
Fudge Kitchen shops can be found in some of the UK ’ s most historic cities including Canterbury . Alongside their traditional slab fudge , they also produce drinking fudge , butter fudge selections , caramels , crunchy brittles , honeycomb and coconut ice – all at their production site in East Kent .
97