(L- R) Ealing Southall MP, Virendra Sharma and High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, Her Excellency Amari Mandika Wijewardene present the Lifetime Achievement award to Mehboob Hussain (Photo: AFRA)

Nadine Osman

Founder of Nawaab restaurants Mehboob Hussain has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement award at the inaugural Asian Food and Restaurant Awards on August 1.

The awards held in London recognise the achievements and positive contribution being made by South Asians across the UK food industry. His Royal Nawaab in Manchester was also named Restaurant of the year North West.

The awards  aim to celebrate these special stories as well as honour the dedication and commitment of those who have spread their love for Asian flavours through their passion to take their food culture to the mainstream.

Hussain, from the Royal Nawaab Manchester, took a chance when he transformed an old cinema into a wedding banqueting suite. The decision has in many ways revolutionised how Asian weddings were celebrated.

Accepting his award Hussain said, “I am truly humbled and honoured. I am lost for words.  All I can say is that it has given me the ammunition and determination to continue with my goals. ”

In a statement to The Muslim News Chair of the awards, Atta Ul Haq congratulated “all the participants and stakeholders of the food industry for their huge contribution for setting legendary benchmarks, be them the waiters, the chefs or the owners.”

 Asian Food and Restaurant Awards Winners: 

Best organics food product distributer, Tru Vibe by Anand Dani

Restaurant of the year North West, Royal Nawaab (Manchester)

Restaurant of the year Midland, Tipu Sultan (Birmingham)

Restaurant of the year South West, Urban Tandoor (Bristol)

Restaurant of the Year North & East London, Tayyab’s Restaurant

Restaurant of the year South & West London, Chak 89 by Frank Khalid

Restaurant newcomer of the year London, Chakra by Arjun Verma

Restaurant newcomer of the year North West, Ziya Restaurant Manchester

Restaurant of brand of the year UK, Akbar’s by Shabir Hussain

Catering Of The Year, Madhu’s

Chef of the year 2017, Aurangzeb Alamgeer

Food Products & Supplier of the year, Al Noor Foods

Cash & Carry of the year, Elbrook Cash & Carry

Drink brand of the year, Bulldog Energy Drink by Dr Rami Ranger CBE

Lifetime Achievement Award, Mehboob Hussain

Food Products & Distributer of the year, Manchester Super Store