Kent’s Tamarind named Best Curry House in the Home Counties

London Mayor Sadiq Khan praises Asian restaurateurs

Tamarind Indian restaurant in Kemsing, near Sevenoaks in Kent, has been named at the Asian Restaurant of the Year – Home Counties at year’s Asian Curry Awards.

The other successful Kent restaurant at the Awards was Everest Inn in Ashford, which was named Best Nepalese Restaurant.

 These are the UK’s only national restaurant awards which cover the entire spectrum of all Asian cuisines. 

This year’s Guest of Honour at the Awards, London Mayor Sadiq Khan praise the Asian restaurateurs contribution to our society, saying: “By bringing the best of Asian culinary traditions to these shores, these restaurant owners have expanded not only the choice of food available to the British public, but our very identity as an open, inclusive and multicultural nation.”

Receiving his award Tamarind owner Suna Meah, said: “This is the best moment in my 30-year career in the hospitality business.”  

Since opening Tamarind four-and-a-half years ago, Meah was invested more than £200,000 refurbishing the property, transporting it from a takeaway to a 70-seater restaurant, employing five kitchen staff and seven front of house.  He has ambitious plans to extend the building to cater for up to 120 customers, with a private dining area and a bae for pre-dinner drinks and takeaway customers.

 Tamarind made to shortlist following the votes of hundreds of customers – mostly from local regulars, but a significant numbers of motor sport fans, visiting the area to attend events at nearby Brands Hatch.

The Asian Curry Awards judges who visited the Kemsing restaurant in October, commented on the “exceptionally friendly service, and warm, lively ambience.” 

The signature dishes of Chef Abdul Masum, who has worked with Suna Meah for over 20 years, came in for high praise, particularly the “perfectly rendered” Tandoori Salmon Tikka, “sumptuous” Bangladeshi King Prawn Zingha, in a rich tamarind sauce and “succulent, plump” Lamb Chop Achari. 

The restaurant receives fresh daily deliveries from local suppliers including nearby Chart Farm and Dennis of Bexley, an award-winning local butcher.

Meah now plans to add a short, seasonally changing, fine dining menu using more local produce including Chart Farm venison and “a massive celebratory party, to thank our local customers for the villages of Kemsing, Otley and Seal, who voted for us in such numbers.

 The Asian Curry Awards shortlist was determined by over 100,000 votes from spice-loving members of the public.  A team of judges, led by Pat Chapman, editor of the Cobra Good Curry Guide, toured the country to determine the winners with preference shown to restaurants, with healthy, authentic regional dishes with modern gastro influences.

The full list of Asian Curry Awards winners can be viewed at www.asiancurryawards.com