Every year at ARTA, we get to witness some incredible moments on stage, but watching Kelvedon Spice take home the title Regional Restaurant of the Year: Essex Region felt especially special. When you spend months working with restaurants, judges, chefs, and industry partners, you really get to see which places stand out for the right reasons. Kelvedon Spice wasn’t just good on paper – they impressed us in the room, in the kitchen, and out in their local community.
Their win puts them firmly among the top Indian restaurants UK, and for anyone looking for the best restaurant in Essex, they’ve just earned one of the most respected badges in the restaurant awards UK scene.
About ARTA
A look at ARTA’s role in the UK food world
If you’ve followed UK food awards before, you’ll know ARTA has grown into one of the most recognised platforms celebrating Asian cuisine. We started with a simple idea: highlight the restaurants and chefs who genuinely push standards forward across the country. These days, ARTA sits alongside major recognitions like the British Curry Awards, Asian Curry Awards, and other prestigious food awards that champion the industry.
How our judging works
People often ask how we select our winners. The judging is a mix of customer feedback, mystery dining, menu assessment, consistency checks, and a real focus on authenticity and innovation. For categories like this one, the Curry Awards for Indian restaurants standard is incredibly competitive. Only the restaurants that perform well across service, flavour, hygiene, leadership, and customer loyalty make it through.
How ARTA fits among other major awards
What makes ARTA different is that we don’t simply look for “one good curry”. We look for restaurants that show all-round strength – the kind of places that could easily win in the national curry awards or take the title in categories like curry chef awards, south Asian restaurant awards, or best Indian restaurant awards.
Event highlights at the London Hilton, Park Lane
This year’s awards night at the London Hilton on Park Lane was electric. Samantha Simmonds and Paul Martin kept the energy going, and the entertainment lineup had the whole room buzzing. Our partners and sponsors brought huge support, and the entire event felt like a celebration of everything the Asian culinary scene brings to the UK.
A Proud Win – Regional Restaurant of the Year: Essex Region for Kelvedon Spice
When Kelvedon Spice was announced as Kelvedon Spice Essex Restaurant of the Year, you could feel the room shift. The judges spoke a lot about their consistency, the way they honour traditional techniques, and how they’ve brought fresh ideas into familiar dishes without losing authenticity.
On a regional level, they’ve secured their place as a leader in Essex’s dining scene. Nationally, they’ve stepped into the spotlight alongside long-standing award-winning curry restaurants known across the food industry.
The Journey Behind the Flavours
Where it all began
Kelvedon Spice has one of those origin stories that stick with you. A small family-run vision that gradually grew into a community favourite, they built their name dish by dish, customer by customer. When you visit a place like this, you can see how much care goes into the food before you even taste it.
The chef’s philosophy
Their head chef spoke to us about balance – respecting traditional regional cooking while keeping dishes approachable for modern diners. It’s a simple philosophy, but it’s done with skill. Their team pays attention to details: spice layers, cooking times, textures, and plating. This is exactly the kind of approach that aligns with ARTA’s award criteria.
What puts them on the award map
When we judge restaurants for major honours like curry champion awards or indian food awards, we’re looking for both technique and heart. Kelvedon Spice delivers both. Their menu shows innovation without drifting away from its roots. Their service is steady. Their quality is dependable. And their sustainability practices are improving every year.
Signature Dishes and Guest Favourites
Kelvedon Spice has a menu full of strong contenders, but three dishes really captured our judges’ attention:
King Prawn Biriani
Packed with flavour, layered with spice, and served with a warmth that immediately stands out. It’s one of those dishes that travels well, making it ideal for anyone searching for the best takeaway in the area.
Lamb and Chicken Tikka Tandoori Mix
A perfect example of their skill with the tandoor. Smoky, tender, and full of depth. It’s the kind of dish that earns a spot in the award-winning curry category.
Murg Delight
Creamy, rich, and balanced without being heavy. This is one of the most-ordered dishes for a reason.
These dishes represent exactly why they remain strong contenders across best takeaway awards and top Indian restaurants UK lists.
The Region’s Culinary Pride and Community Impact
A restaurant isn’t just about food. Kelvedon Spice has shaped its local area too. They employ local staff, support young trainees, and offer steady jobs within the community. They’ve taken part in charity nights and local fundraising events, and have consistently shown up for their neighbourhood.
Regionally, they’ve helped put Essex’s South Asian food scene on the map. Nationally, they’re becoming part of the conversation whenever UK food awards highlight upcoming or standout restaurants.
Media Recognition and Third-Party Validation
Their achievement didn’t stay quiet for long. News outlets quickly picked up their win. One key feature appeared in the Thurrock Gazette, where the headline Kelvedon Spice named as best restaurant in Essex highlighted their growing reputation.
ARTA’s Role in Championing Asian Cuisine in the UK
For us at ARTA, wins like this show why we continue doing what we do. Asian cuisine brings communities together, tells cultural stories, and gives the UK some of its most beloved dishes. We’ve always believed that restaurants like Kelvedon Spice help strengthen multicultural connections across the country.
By recognising chefs, service teams, and regional champions, ARTA continues to shine a light on talent that might otherwise stay local. Our goal has always been to raise the standard and push forward innovation in the industry – and seeing restaurants like Kelvedon Spice grow makes that mission feel worthwhile.
FAQs about Kelvedon Spice’s ARTA Win
- What award did Kelvedon Spice win at ARTA 2025?
They won Regional Restaurant of the Year: Essex Region. - Why was Kelvedon Spice chosen for this award?
Consistency, strong flavours, great service, and a standout community presence. - Is Kelvedon Spice considered the best restaurant in Essex?
Their ARTA title and media recognition strongly support that reputation. - Does the restaurant appear in other food or curry awards?
They’ve been highlighted in lists connected to UK food awards and regional curry categories. - Where can I learn more or view their menu?
You can visit their website here: https://kelvedonspice.co.uk/
