The British Kebab Awards has attracted the most ever entries in its nine-year history despite the on-going coronavirus pandemic.
More than 350 entries have made it to the semi-final longlist – the most ever since the awards began in 2013 – and have a chance of winning an award at a prestigious ceremony at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel on 26 October.
Judges of the illustrious awards this year will include: Conservative Minister Nadhim Zahawi, Labour MP Carolyn Harris, Assistant General Secretary of Unite Steve Turner, SNP MP Angus Brendan MacNeil, Conservative MP David Warburton and David Galman from Galliard Homes.
Business and Industry Minister Nadhim Zahawi, who is currently serving as the Minister for the Covid-19 Vaccine Deployment, said, “Recognising the UK’s thriving kebab restaurant and takeaway sector is very important. I’m proud to be part of this landmark event which will showcase what the sector has to offer and reward the best businesses for their success.”
The awards are also sponsored by Unilever, Cobra Beer, Big K Charcoal, Bookers, Coca-Cola, Alton and Co Accountants, Atlacarte, DD Points, Troy Digital, McCain Foods and Foodelo.
Lord Karan Bilimoria, the Founder and Chairman of Cobra Beer said: “Cobra beer is proud to sponsor the 9th British Kebab Awards. Kebabs have become a great British institution, with over 1 million kebabs sold a day. The Kebab awards celebrate the hard work and achievement of the industry which contributes billions of pounds to the UK economy and employs over 200,000 people. I wish the Kebab Awards team, its inspirational founder Ibrahim Dogus, and all the nominees every success.”
The Awards, which are sponsored by JUST EAT and supported by the Kebab Alliance, the new industry body recently set up to represent the sector, recognise and champion the efforts of local kebab takeaways and restaurants across the UK.
Ibrahim Dogus, founder of the British Kebab Awards and Director of the newly formed Kebab Alliance, commented: “This year’s longlist demonstrates the sector’s diversity, with more entries than ever before including from a wide range of restaurants and takeaways across the UK. From twists on the classics, to new vegan varieties, we are proud to celebrate one of the nation’s best loved industries, the kebab industry, as it continues to grow in new and exciting ways. After such a challenging year of Covid-19 lockdowns, the ceremony will also give staff who work in the industry a chance to celebrate.”
