A Southall chef was voted one of the best curry chefs in the UK at the 2016 Curry Life Awards at the Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel in London last week.

Mr Bheem Singh Negi, head chef at the Mehfil, was one of 24 chefs to receive official recognition for their contribution to an industry worth more than £4.2billion a year on Wednesday, October 19.

Chef Negi said: "To win this title is the greatest vote of confidence I could wish for, not just for myself but for my team who work so hard to make things happen at the Mehfil Restaurant.

"The award will inspire us to keep improving and I'd also like to thank all our customers for their help putting us on the map."

The UK may have a soft spot for old favourites like bangers and mash and fish and chips but the British appetite for curry remains unrivalled.

The Curry Life Awards and Gala Dinner celebrated our 'official' national dish 'Chicken Tikka Masala' giving visitors the chance to find out more about an industry serving 2.5 million customers a week.

This year awards ceremony recognised the best 24 curry chefs and 11 best curry restaurants in the UK and lifetime achievements award for a restaurateur providing dedicated services to the Curry Industry for 50 years.

Guest of honour at the awards ceremony, Rt Hon Priti Patel MP, secretary of state for international development, said: "Curry Life Magazine's annual awards ceremony is a great opportunity to celebrate the enormous talent that is on display around the country and the success of the Great British Curry! My congratulations to all the deserving winners."

Curry Life Awards regular sponsor, Lord Karan Bilimoria, founder chairman of Cobra Beer, said: "There is no doubt that curry is the nation's favourite food and behind the great tastes of curry, are great craftsmen.

“We are all in an awe of what the chefs do and I applaud them for producing some of the most exotic food in the world at the cheapest prices.

"Those chefs and restaurants have been awarded by Curry Life, deserves to be congratulated for their hard work and achievements.”.

Syed Belal Ahmed, editor of Curry Life Magazine, said: "It was a fantastic evening and a great way to recognise and celebrate the skills and talents of our Curry Industry.

“Events like this, illustrates the strength of our love as a nation for Curry. I would like to congratulate much deserving winners of this year's Curry Life Awards."

Other guests at the event included: Virendra Sharma MP, Paul Scully MP, Wes Streeting MP, Conor Burns MP, Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith and Worshipful Mayor of Brent, Cllr Parvez Ahmed.

Guests of the Curry Life Awards were treated to some spectacular entertainment in a glittering awards ceremony, hosted by celebrity master chef finalist, journalist and broadcaster Louise Minchin.