A BRADFORD-LEEDS restaurant was over the moon to collect a prestigious award at a national event.

After only 20 months in existence, Lala’s, on Bradford Road in Pudsey, was named Best Asian Restaurant in the North of England on a flashy night at Manchester’s Mercure Piccadilly Hotel.

At the start of last year, Junior Rashid opened his third branch of Lala’s, the others are in Wakefield and Huddersfield, in the building which previously stood as The Farmers pub, then Family Fayre and Lahori.

Mr Rashid was also delighted to collect the Highly Commended Best Asian Restaurant in the North of England for his Huddersfield branch.

“It was brilliant,” he said on claiming the two gongs.

“I was shocked because there were like 40/50 restaurants nominated, so you think that you have got no chance.

"It is all down to the customers that we have won these awards, we are nothing without them. It is overwhelming and I am grateful for all the support.”

Lala’s did not win their awards the easy way, they had to come through a strong field of established names. The likes of Akbar’s and Aagrah were both vying for honours.

Mr Rashid has always looked up to the aforementioned two and is proud to say he can final rub shoulders with them at events like these.

He added: “There are certain people that I have looked up. After working so hard, my role models have become my rivals. I used to look up to these guys and now I am shoulder to shoulder with them. It is a fantastic achievement.

"Not to be disrespectful but me and my team deserve these awards. We work tirelessly for long hours in order to provide the service we offer.”

The various lockdowns did the industry no favours as many had to adapt and change when their doors slammed shut.

Mr Rashid added: “We did it but we needed to be open. Takeaways are limited. The takeaway was busy, but we are a big restaurant.

"Our concept is experience, Lala’s is luxury dining. Our food is on point, the place looks the part, and the service is exceptional.

“It is about a Lala’s experience. As soon as someone comes in, we make them feel a million dollars. I went above and beyond by making a statement, so people would come to my place.

"I had to raise the bar because we are around restaurants that have been around for many years. Customers come from both cities, it’s Lala’s Leeds-Bradford like the airport. We are bang in the middle so we have got the best of both worlds.

"All restaurants have had a tough year but it’s onwards and upwards now.”

The Asian Restaurant Awards 2021, hosted by the Asian Catering Federation, were open to restaurants of all Asian and Oriental cuisines across the country.