The special recognition was given by the UK-based Bangladeshi Restaurant trade magasine, Curry Life, known as the most authoritative voice of the curry industry in Great Britain.
There are over 12,000 curry houses in the UK, otherwise known as Indian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Nepalese and Sri Lankan Restaurants across Britain, said a media release on Saturday.
Editor-in-Chief of the magazine Syed Nahas Pasha said despite the unprecedented problems posed by the present pandemic, these curry houses have gone out of their way to be almost a fourth emergency service to vulnerable people.
“Their businesses and livelihoods have been severely impacted, but this has not stopped them from offering a helping hand to the most needy in our society at a time of crisis,” he said.
During Covid-19, Nahas Pasha said, many curry houses have just managed to keep their heads above the water -- absorbing the costs of closures, reduced capacity and Covid-19 compliance -- many often putting their own lives at risk, as they themselves come largely from vulnerable BAME communities.
“Their efforts really deserve to be recognised as truly heroic-and we’re delighted to be able to mark their magnificent contributions in this way," Pasha said.
Syed Belal Ahmed, Editor of Curry Life Media Group, said they have from the very beginning decided that this recognition will go to a business that has demonstrated determination and resilience throughout the pandemic and tackled challenges head-on.
"We’ve been totally overwhelmed to see the businesses and individuals who have gone above and beyond in their response to the Covid-19 crisis and their effort deserves to be recognised.
"Curry Life have sent a bespoke Covid Curry Hero Plaque and a letter of appreciation directly to those businesses have been recognised as no formal ceremony can be held due to Covid restrictions," he added.
WINNERS LIST
Chandini Restaurant
High Wych, Sawbridgeworth
Mahaan Restaurant
Worthing, West Sussex
iNaga Restaurant
West Wickham, Bromley
The Indian Ocean
Histon, Cambridge
Zyka Restaurant
Tilehurst, Reading
Haweli Indian Restaurant
Ealing, London
Deshi Spice Restaurant
Bedford
Shozna Restaurant
Rochester, Kent
Blue Tiffin
Stoke-on-Trent
Taj Cuisine
Chatham, Kent
Spice Club
Bridgewater, Somerset
Itihaas Restaurant
Edinburgh, Scotland
The Radhuni
Edinburgh, Scotland
Jhaal Contemporary Indian Cuisine
Marks Tey, Colchester, Essex
The Magna Tandoori
Berwick-Upon -Tweed
Northumberland
The Capital Restaurant
County Durham
Anokha Restaurant
Bognor Regis, West Sussex