Julia Buckley MP and Mayor of Shrewsbury celebrate restaurant success

The Mayor of Shrewsbury Councilor David Vasmer added, “It is great to see Lea Cross Tandoori win this national prestigious award from the Curry Life magazine; I am personally proud that it was a restaurant here in Shrewsbury that won, a year that Shrewsbury is proud to have won Britain in Bloom and the Urbanism award; such an honour”.

Also joining in the celebration was Miss Shropshire, Eloise Sarasini who congratulated Lea Cross in winning the award and added that she was proud to represent the county in the Miss England competition and achieving top 40 out of 22,000 people.

Bringing the award home to Shropshire, partner in the restaurant Foyzul Hassan thanked the community for their support in this public vote and introduced the kitchen staff and acknowledged their hard work behind the scene.

Curry Life magazine is the voice of the industry with a circulation top over 15,000 Indian restaurants and takeaways across the country helping to drive the standards and the profile of Indian food within the food sector.

Shrewsbury MP and Mayor celebrate restaurant being named the best at Curry Awards

By Luke Powell, Shropshire Star - 11th December 2024

Shrewsbury's MP and Mayor joined local residents and customers at Lea Cross Tandoori to celebrate it being named the restaurant of the year at a national awards ceremony.

The restaurant in Pontesbury won Best Restaurant of the Year 2024 at the 15th annual Curry Life Awards.

The flagship award ceremony was held at London’s Marriot Hotel in Grosvenor Square in October.

Also joining in the celebrations was Miss Shropshire, Eloise Sarasini who congratulated Lea Cross in winning the award and added that she was proud to represent the county in the Miss England competition and achieve a top 40 finish out of 22,000 people.

Partner in the restaurant Foyzul Hassan brought home the award and thanked the community for their support in the public vote.

Mrs Buckley and Mr Vasmer also met kitchen staff who were acknowledged for their hard work behind the scenes.

Winner of Best Restaurant of the Year 2024 

Shrewsbury curry restaurant is named UK's best of 2024.

The Gala evening was also attended by leading public figures including Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE, founder of Cobra beer and former President of the CBI. who said "The curry industry continues to play a crucial role in British society, contributing over £4 billion in annual sales and employing thousands of hardworking individuals, a vital contribution to the British economy and hospitality sector”.

Speaking after the awards ceremony, Curry Life group editor, Syed Belal Ahmed, said: "A major aim of the awards has always been to highlight best practice going on across the country – so that everyone has the opportunity to learn from the best - something that has always been a driving principle behind Curry Life itself.

"The awards event is an annual celebration of British curry houses, which have an annual turnover of over £4 billion”.

Keynote speakers at the awards also included Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting MP. He said: “The hospitality industry has an enormous contribution to make to our country. But there’s something more fundamental about what the hospitality industry does, and what curry houses across the country do, which is about bringing people together, making connections and creating communities”.

Other guests at the awards ceremony included GB News presenter Camilla Tominey—who hosted the event—as well as Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Rushanara Ali MP, Charlotte Nichols MP and Jade Botterill MP.

Lea Cross Tandoori cooks up a storm at this year’s Curry Life Awards

Speaking after the ceremony, owner and manager Foyzul Hassan, who runs the restaurant with his brother Harun Miah, said: “It’s absolutely brilliant for the restaurant to receive an award. It’s a pleasure running the restaurant and serving our customers; because of our location, where people have to travel to eat here, it’s like having one big extended family.”

He added: “It’s a pleasure to see our customers enjoying our food – this is what continues to motivate us. We know that people make the effort to dine out here and we love getting their feedback and support.”

Speaking after the 15th annual Curry Life awards ceremony, Curry Life Media Group Editor, Syed Belal Ahmed, said: “A major aim of the awards has always been to highlight best practice going on across the country – so that everyone has the opportunity to learn from the best – something that has always been a driving principle behind Curry Life itself.

“Over the many years we have been staging the awards, we have seen major improvements in standards and quality being offered to customers, to the point where several restaurants are now in a position to challenge for accolades such as Michelin stars.”

The awards event is an annual celebration of British curry houses, which have an annual turnover of over £4 billion.”

Keynote speakers at the awards included Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting MP. He commented: “Congratulations to everyone for their success at these awards.

The hospitality industry has an enormous contribution to make to our country. But there’s something more fundamental about what the hospitality industry does, and what curry houses across the country do, which is about bringing people together, making connections and creating communities.

“It’s about making sure our high streets are thriving, and where people want to spend time and money and enjoy family and friendship. In the budget and beyond we will be doing everything that we can not just to support our large businesses, but to support our SMEs too.”

Another key speaker was Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE, Founder and Chairman of Cobra Beer and former President of the CBI – who added: “The curry industry continues to play a crucial role in British society, contributing over £4 billion in annual sales and employing thousands of hardworking individuals, a vital contribution to the British economy and hospitality sector.

“While we’ve faced significant challenges in recent years—from rising costs to labour shortages—the industry’s strength and determination remain unwavering. At Cobra Beer, we are immensely proud to stand alongside curry restaurants across the UK, grateful for their loyalty and resilience. Together, we look ahead with optimism, knowing that our shared commitment will help us thrive in the face of any challenge.”

Other guests at the awards ceremony included GB News presenter Camilla Tominey, who hosted the event—as well as Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Rushanara Ali MP, Charlotte Nichols MP and Jade Botterill MP.

Rushanara Ali said: “The British curry industry has been absolutely vital – it has not only created opportunities for the British Asian community but also built a multi-billion pound industry. So it’s wonderful to see the industry going from strength to strength. Huge congratulations to all the nominees and winners.”

The Curry Life Awards are sponsored by Cobra Beer, WorkPermitCloud, Unisoft and Hillside Travels.

Severn Hospice Fundraising Department, Bicton Heath, Shrewsbury SY3 8HS.

Dear Mr Hussan,

Hearing about your donation of £861.00 is absolutely fantastic! The fact that you have taken the time and effort to raise money to help pour patients is an inspiration to me and has given me a real lift because I know the difference it will make to them.

You have shown a great commitment to us and because of that I feel a personal responsibility to assure you that we will put your gift to the best possible use to support those who need us within our local community.

Thanks to you, the next family I meet who have had their lives changed forever because of an incurable illness will have all the support and specialist care they need to help them through the challenges they face. What a wonderful gift you have given!

If you have any further questions, may I ask you to contact our fundraising team on 01952 221351 fundraising@severnhospice.org.uk or by writing to the address above, as I am directly involved in patient care every day.

Many congratulations on what you have achieved. My sincere heartfelt thanks once again to you for thinking of Severn Hospice.

With my best wishes and gratitude.

Helen Duce
Community Services Matron

From today through to Sunday, May 31, hundreds of restaurants and takeaways around the country will help to support the British Asian Trust’s appeal to raise funds to help feed families in South Asia who have lost their daily paid work due to the Covid-19 crisis and as a result have lost their ability to buy food.

The restaurants are asking customers to donate £1 when ordering a takeaway meal in support of the appeal, and hopes to make a difference to hundreds of families in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka giving them the chance to buy food and essential items for another month.

Founded by The Prince of Wales, The British Asian Trust has helped more than five million people in South Asia in the fields of education, livelihoods, anti-trafficking and mental health.

Harun Miah runs the Lea Cross Tandoori at Pontesbury with his brother and was recognised for his culinary skills at this year’s Curry Life Awards where he achieved regional Curry Life Best Chef Award 2019.

The national awards seek to find talented Indian chefs from around the country in the most challenging judging process which also leads to opportunities to further develop exciting new dishes alongside top chefs in workshops in the Indian subcontinent.

Working within Indian kitchens for over 30 years Harun said that he thoroughly enjoys cooking and creating new dishes and will often take on a challenge from customers to produce a unique dish using a particular ingredient. Before joining the family business Harun worked in the kitchens in Hertfordshire cooking signature dishes for many celebrity guests.

“We would like to thank everybody that has voted for us and helped us to achieve this award, this award is such an accolade within Indian restaurants and has only been achieved with so many of our customers taking the time and trouble to vote for us” said Hassan, Harun’s brother who works front of house.

The awards were held on Sunday (3) at London’s Hilton Park Lane and attended by prominent public figures including Lord Karan Bilimoria, founder of Cobra beer.

By Lucy Todman

Senior reporter for the Shropshire Star and Shrewsbury Chronicle based in Shrewsbury.