Media launch of the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards (ARTA)
A remarkable and memorable evening was held on the 17th October 2017 when the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards (ARTA) was inaugurated in a carefully planned and executed media launch. The launch was unveiled from the Crowne Plaza hotel overlooking the waterfront in the London docklands.
The venue was buzzing throughout the evening with known media personalities, journalists, restauranteurs and representatives from the British curry industry.
It took an amazing turn when the glamorous Samantha Simmonds from BBC World News started to host the show. Powered by ChefOnline, the media launch was a major stepping stone for one of the greatest curry awards extravaganza in recent years!
This launch made it possible for ARTA to celebrate the achievements and successes by Britain’s favourite Asian eateries.
This launch will mark the initial stage of the recognition of successful Asian restaurants and takeaways to national recognition. ARTA is set to announce the nation’s favourite and most coveted South Asian restaurants & takeaways, including the Newcomer of the Year Award, Chef of the Year Award and the Champion of the Champions Award.
Next year on the 30th September 2018, ARTA will recognise the outstanding contribution that the restaurants and takeaways offer to the nation. The final awards ceremony will be hosted at the Arora Ballroom - 02 Intercontinental London. Winners will be crowned the Champion of the Champions Award and a trophy worth a staggering £40,000.
Founder of ARTA awards, CEO of ChefOnline, M A Munim (Salik) mentioned to the audience, “tens of thousands of people will be heard as the public vote for their favourite restaurants and takeaways in their respective regions. After a series of local competitions and cook-offs, the top 10 best Asian eateries will emerge from each of the 15 regions up and down the country. We will all convene in London next year, where expert judges and proud sponsors will declare the winners.”
BBC World News presenter Samantha Simmonds, hosting the launch, expressed her hope that ARTA would help strengthen the voice of British curry lovers. Fundraising Director of OXFAM GB, Tim Hunter, celebrity cricket star David Malcom and Managing Director of Canary Wharf Mr Howard Dawber were among the dignitaries who also attended the extravagant launch of ARTA.
On behalf of Canary Wharf Group Howard Dawber expressed his strong support to make the awards ceremony a success, he said, ''Canary Wharf Group will be with ARTA all the way''.
David Malcolm emphasised the importance of curry in the contemporary British society and said he would like to work with ARTA in the coming months.
Tim Hunter said he was excited to be part of the inaugural journey of ARTA and wished the success of the project on behalf of OXFAM.
President of Bangladesh Caterers’ Association Kamal Yaqub, former president of the same organisation Pasha Khondokar, former president of British Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce Muquim Ahmed, President of London Bangla Press Club Syed Nahas Pasha, Chief Executive Officer of ATN Bangla UK Hafiz Alam Bakhs, president of British-Bangladeshi Caterers’ Association Yafor Ali, General Secretary of the same organisation Shahnoor Khan and ambassador of ARTA Mitu Chowdhury were among others who spoke at the event as guest speakers.
Mr Pasha Khondokar expressed his delight by saying that ARTA is going to operate alongside many other awards. He wished the success of ARTA & said, ''ARTA is breaking new grounds''.
The president of BCA Kamal Yaqub promised his cooperation with ARTA.
Yafor Ali said that ''ARTA would do what was promised by not compromising the standards of the awards''.
Mr Muquim Ahmed, in his speech, remembered the difficulties and obstacles of the curry industry in the early days and hoped that ARTA would run a strong campaign in overcoming those obstacles.
Steering committee members M A Munim (Salik), Zakir Khan, Razak Amin (Shahed) and Kadrul Islam answered many of the questions from the audience.
A video presentation elaborately explained the project to the audience. In the presentation, organisers of ARTA promise the participants an opportunity to win a brand new car for nominating their favourite South Asian restaurant.