Shifnal Indian restaurant claims a top prize at national awards

Shifnal Balti was named Regional Restaurant of the Year for the West Midlands at the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards (ARTA).

The awards, which took place at Hilton Park Lane in London, are considered the most prestigious celebration of Pan Asian cuisine in the UK.

Shifnal Balti manager Faz Ali said he was overjoyed after scooping the top honour.

He said: "I was really shocked to win and was jumping up and down when the award was announced.

"I just couldn't believe it! I was screaming and think I made the whole crowd jump up and start clapping.

"I am just over the moon. It was just a fantastic night, glamorous, the full works. There was a really wonderful wow factor to it."

Mr Ali said the award was testament to his staff and customers.

"To bring it home to Shifnal, for the town, and for the locals who have supported me and the staff we have here, I am just so delighted.

"We were celebrating being shortlisted but to go on and win it too, it really is the icing on the cake.

"We have worked really hard to improve the business and, in the last eight or nine months, it has dramatically changed and has that feeling and buzz again.

"Everything I have worked for over 30 years has come to this special moment and now we have won the award we want to keep on top of the game."

Paul Martin also entertained the guests with a magic tricks show.

Interspersing the awards presentation was a curated world-class entertainment, including a performance by singer Kavya Limaye and Ujaan Mukherjee, both performed live and delighted the audience with their talent.

ARTA Founder Mohammed Munim said at the awards this year, "I would like to congratulate all of the winners and finalists of ARTA 2023 – the Pan Asian restaurants, takeaways, and chefs who are the pride of the UK's hospitality industry.

"As the first and foremost award ceremony to honour the finest of the UK's Asian restaurant and takeaway industry, we salute your resilience and fortitude as you continue to serve diners and customers across the UK in particularly challenging circumstances.

"I would like to thank Lords, Ministers, High Commissioners, dignitaries, and guests for joining us on this occasion.

"The UK’s popular Asian restaurant industry, synonymous with taking operational and business challenges such as staff shortages and the Covid pandemic head on, now faces a new set of challenges – the current cost of living crisis.

"The cost of supplies, ingredients, and energy have risen significantly while customers are also facing tightened household budgets.

"In this tough situation, ARTA once again honours the UK’s best Asian restaurants and takeaways who continue to deliver the best in the restaurant and home dining in these tough circumstances.

"ARTA recognises this industry, which is the result and displays the successes of multiculturalism in the UK."