CHAKRA AND PINK SALT WIN GOLD AT SECOND IRISH CURRY AWARDS
CHAKRA in Greystones and Pink Salt in Bray have both won gold at the second Irish Curry Awards.
The Irish Curry Awards, in association with Cobra Beer, UTIS Holdings and BJ Productions, took place last week at the Crowne Plaza, Shaw’s Bridge, and celebrated the best restaurants and curries on the island of Ireland.
Chakra took home the gold award for Best Restaurant while Pink Salt was announced as Best Newcomer in Leinster.
Asheesh Dewan of Chakra was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for Leinster.
An estimated 700 curry houses operate successfully between Ballyferriter in Kerry and Ballycastle in Antrim. These awards were created by Belfast-based restaurateur Askir Ali to recognise the contribution made to Ireland’s food scene by hundreds of Indian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani and other Asian chefs, restaurant workers and managers.
‘Curry may have been born in India, but it has grown and matured across Ireland,’ Askir Ali said.
‘The Irish Curry Awards are recognition of that.
‘I was really surprised and thrilled to see the level of support that was out there for the Irish Curry Awards and I am delighted that year two has been just as successful as the first. Nominations were up this year and the standard was too. We had in place a broad mix of judges and food critics on board again this year.’
UTV’s Pamela Ballentine hosted the event, with guests from across the industry treated to an evening of celebrating Asian culture.
Entertainment included Bollywood dancing.
The Irish Curry Awards is a not-for-profit event with all profits donated to the Children’s Heartbeat Trust.