THE Aagrah Restaurant Group has won a prestigious national award for the best Asian restaurant chain.

The Shipley-based firm picked up the coveted award at the Asian Food and Restaurant Awards held in London last week.

The awards recognise and celebrate the standout Indian restaurant operators across the UK in what is a growing multi-billion pound dining sector.

Accepting the award, Aagrah managing director, Mohammed Aslam said: “By continuing to get our chefs to embrace creativity, not only do we create a unique dining experience but we also ensure that modern curry cuisine continues to evolve.

"It is a great honour for Aagrah Group to receive this United Kingdom title."

The multi award winning Kashmiri restaurant group marks 41 years in business this year having opened its first restaurant in Shipley in 1977.

The company has 12 restaurants across Yorkshire, with family members manage each restaurant.

A purpose built conference and banqueting centre at Midpoint, Pudsey, seats 450 people.

They also have an outdoor catering unit, catering for up to 5,000 people nationally as well as a share of the home dining market through their range of authentic Tarka cooking sauces available in supermarkets Asda and Co-op, as well as selected farm shops.

Sauces in the range have won the Guild of Fine Food Great Taste award.

The Guild of Fine Food was formed in 1995 with a mission to support and encourage artisan food and drink producers and the independent delicatessens, farm shops and food halls that mainly stock and sell their food and drink.

The Asian Food and Restaurant Awards recognises the best of the Asian hospitality, services and supplier sectors.

Following its inaugural ceremony in 2017, marked by a special message from The Queen, AFRA 2018 recognised the achievements and contribution being made by South Asians across the UK food and hospitality industries.

The award ceremony was held at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in London last week.