Gold awardfor Ajanta takeaway

AJANTA in Drogheda took the gold award for Leinster’s Best Takeaway at the Irish Curry Awards.

The Irish Curry Awards, took place recently at the Crowne Plaza, Shaw’s Bridge, and celebrated the best restaurants and curries on the island of Ireland, for a second year.

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.

UTV’s own Pamela Ballentine oversaw hosting duties for the glamourous event, allocating awards which covered a wide range of categories including Best Chef, Best Restaurant and Best Newcomer, among others.

Speaking on the success of the event, Founder Askir Ali said: ‘Curry may have been born in India, but it has grown and matured across Ireland. The Irish Curry Awards are recognition of that.’