You might well have your own most cherished local takeaway – yet only a favoured few find themselves highly prized enough to win glittering awards ceremony glory.
An array of accolades are handed out each year across differing specialities when it comes to fast food – whether fish and chips, curries, kebabs or Chinese takeaways.
Now a new MailOnline interactive map lets you know which of your neighbouring outlets are currently among the most popular with expert judges.
The latest annual National Fish and Chip Shop Awards were held last month – with Darlington-based Yarm Road Fish and Chips scooping the top prize, 12 months after taking second place.
The judging process includes interviews, mystery taste tests and skill assessments all undertaken by competitors.
The victorious outlet’s manager Will Burrell put their popularity and success down to starting ‘with the best ingredients that money can buy’.
He said: ‘We use Icelandic, sustainable cod fillets fried in a nice clean oil with a light batter.
‘We’re a cut above because we use the best products, packaging and have great customer service. It all comes together to provide a really great service.’
He described fish and chip shops as the ‘corner stone’ of many UK communities, as he urged everyone to get out and support their local chippy.
And there have also been rallying cries for people to similarly support other takeaways across different cuisines which have long been embraced across the UK.
Another recent prize ceremony came just days after the Fish and Chip Awards event – with the 13th annual British Kebab Awards also staged last month.
More than 30 different venues were celebrated, including not only regional distinctions but also among those specialising in Turkish, Greek. Lebanese, vegan and kosher offerings.
There were also specific prizes for those impressing with their customer service or else best value – as well as nods to the kebab vans deemed the nation’s finest.
Meanwhile, nominees have been welcomed for this year’s editions of the Golden Chopsticks Awards, honouring some of the UK’s best takeaways and restaurants serving up East Asian food.
TV celebrity and fashion stylist Gok Wan and two friends Sarah Lewis and Lucy Michell created the Golden Chopsticks Awards in 2017, aimed at recognising excellence in not only Chinese restaurants also but those with influences from across South East and East Asia.
The most recent ceremony was held on April 29 last year, hosted by Wan at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in central London and with guests including Lorraine Kelly and pop group Liberty X who performed.
Yarm Road Fish & Chips in Darlington has been named as one of the UK’s top takeaways
Cosmo World Buffet’s branch here in Belfast was recognised at the Golden Chopstick Awards
Also receiving praise from awards judges has been Fig Tree Grill in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire
Curry houses are looking forward to 2025’s upcoming instalment of the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards, scheduled for the London Hilton Park Lane this October.
TV personality Gok Wan was among the founders of the Golden Chopsticks Awards – he is pictured here at the prize ceremony held in London in September 2021
Among those honoured was Twee Hwee Tong, a year after he opened Gouqi near Trafalgar Square and who received the Ken Hom Golden Chopsticks Lifetime Achievement Award.
The prize for the best in England went to JM Oriental, in the north London district of Colindale, while Cosmo World Buffet took top prizes both in Scotland and Northern Ireland for its venues in Glasgow and Belfast respectively.
Kan Koo, partner at Cosmo, said at the time: ‘Standards were so high across all of the categories this year so we’re really thrilled to win amongst some fierce competition.
‘What makes it even more rewarding is that it was a public vote. It’s great to see our lovely, loyal, guests are behind us.
‘As for the ceremony itself, we always have a great time at the Golden Chopsticks Awards.’
The organisation’s next event is expected later this year – while curry houses are looking forward to 2025’s upcoming instalment of the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards, scheduled for the London Hilton Park Lane this October.
The most recent ceremony – dubbed by some as the ‘Curry Oscars’ – was held last November, with the ‘Champion of Champions’ prize going to Radhuni Lounge which is based in London satellite town Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire.
Judges said: ‘With their top-notch service, incredible dishes, and the perfect blend of traditional and modern recipes, it’s no wonder they won the “Champion of Champions” award.
Seen here is an interior at award-winning restsaurant Gouqi near Trafalgar Square in London
Radhuni Lounge in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, triumphed at the most recent Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards
Also acclaimed is Bombay Cuisine, a takeaway outlet in Prestwich, Greater Manchester
Among the guests at last year’s Golden Chopsticks Awards in April last year was TV presenter Lorraine Kelly, pictured here with her daughter Rosie Smith at the event in London
‘Whether you’re after an intimate dinner or a big celebration, Radhuni Lounge delivers the kind of flavours and hospitality that make them the best in the country.’
But the specialist takeaway honour went elsewhere – to Bombay Cuisine in Prestwich, Greater Manchester, which was also named best in the North West.
The awards organisers said: ‘Everyone loves a good takeaway, and Bombay Cuisine has crowned the National Takeaway of the Year for a reason.
‘They consistently deliver high-quality food that makes you feel like you’re dining in a top restaurant but from the comfort of your own home. Warm, authentic, and absolutely delicious – Bombay Cuisine has set the takeaway standard.’
But as our new MailOnline takeaway maps shows, there is plenty of keen and appetising competition across the country.lick – so click as well as tuck in…
