Curry Awards 2024: ARTA’s Top Restaurants & Chefs

As a restaurant owner, you’re battling high costs, tricky customers, staff headaches, and on top of that, you’ve probably got another curry house two streets away trying to grab the same diners. So when your place gets recognised at the Curry Awards, it actually means something. It’s not just another plaque on the wall. It’s a statement that you’re one of the best in the game.

And right now, the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards (ARTA) have become the big stage. People call them the “Curry Oscars” or even the Oscars of the curry industry, and to be fair, they’ve earned that label. They’re not just about handing out shiny trophies. They’re about shouting out the best curry restaurants and giving credit to the top curry chefs who keep Britain’s curry culture alive and kicking.

Why ARTA Curry Awards Actually Matter

Look, anyone can say their biryani is the best in town. But when ARTA puts your restaurant’s name forward, customers believe it. It’s a stamp of approval. Suddenly, you’re not just a local spot, you’re the place people travel for.

The UK curry competition scene is brutal. Loads of restaurants throw their hat in the ring every year, but only a few make it through. If your place gets shortlisted, you’re already winning. Get your name called on awards night? That can change everything.

For many diners, these awards act as a guidebook. They think: If ARTA rates this restaurant, it’s worth my money. And let’s face it, that’s the kind of marketing you can’t buy.

What Winning Actually Does for You

Here’s the bit most owners really care about: what’s in it for you if you win a curry award? Well, loads:

Journalists suddenly want to write about your restaurant.
Customers start typing “best curry restaurant near me”, and your name shows up.
Your chefs feel proud, which means they’re less likely to jump ship to another kitchen.
You get bragging rights. And yes, that actually pulls people through your door.

Honestly, it’s not just a trophy. It’s a marketing tool that keeps paying off long after the ceremony’s over.

ARTA Curry Awards 2024: What Stood Out

The ARTA Curry Awards 2024 showed just how much the scene is shifting. A few things that stood out:

It’s not all about London anymore – Birmingham, Leicester, Manchester, Glasgow… they all had restaurants making waves.
Green thinking – More winners are cutting waste, using better sourcing, and showing diners they care about sustainability.
Chefs getting creative – Some of the top curry chefs took old-school curries and gave them a modern spin without losing the heart of the dish.
Community impact – A lot of restaurants were recognised for how they help locally, whether that’s food banks, fundraisers, or giving young chefs a leg-up.

If you’re serious about entering, these are clues about where the judges’ heads are at.

Want to Win in 2025? Here’s What You Should Be Doing Now

Aiming for the ARTA curry awards? Don’t just cross your fingers. Here’s the stuff you actually need to nail:

Be consistent – One good night won’t win you an award. Your food and service need to be spot-on every time.
Support your chefs – The awards celebrate the top curry chefs, not just the restaurants. Give them space to be creative.
Sort your tech out – Online ordering, bookings, payments… customers expect it all to work smoothly.
Tell your story – People love knowing the culture, history, or family journey behind your food.
Give back – Restaurants that are part of their communities are catching the judges’ eyes.

Basically, you’ve got to be more than just good food. You’ve got to be memorable.

Why Customers Care So Much

You might be thinking, “Do diners really care about awards?” The truth? Yes. Loads of them do. For some, it’s about trust. They don’t want to waste money on a bad curry. For others, it’s bragging rights, being able to say they’ve eaten at an award-winning spot.

And let’s be real: when ARTA announces winners, people Google those names straight away. That means even being a finalist can get you more bookings. If you win? Expect new faces walking in, reviews piling up, and your restaurant’s reputation taking off.

Wrapping It Up

The ARTA curry awards 2024 weren’t just about who’s got the hottest vindaloo or fluffiest naan. They were about celebrating the graft, creativity, and passion behind the UK curry scene.

If you’re running a restaurant, you should see these awards less as a distant dream and more as motivation. Whether you grab a trophy or not, raising your game puts you in the kind of company diners respect. And in this business, that’s priceless.

FAQs on Curry Awards 2024

What exactly are the ARTA Curry Awards?
They’re part of the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards, celebrating the best curry restaurants and chefs across the UK.
Why do people call them the Curry Oscars?
Because they’re the biggest and most respected restaurant awards in the curry world, like the Oscars, but for food.
How do they pick the winners?
Judges look at food, service, creativity, and even how much a restaurant does for its local community.
Do small restaurants really stand a chance?
Absolutely. Plenty of independents have beaten big names at the ARTA awards.