HUNDREDS ATTENDED FIRST TORONTO CURRY AWARDS

The winners of the inaugural Toronto Curry Awards were finally revealed on Tuesday 26th June at the Holiday Inn Toronto International Airport. The anticipated event was attended by around 400 people as well as Members of Parliament including Ramesh Sangha and Bob Saroya and one of Toronto’s Deputy Mayor’s Denzil Minnan-Wong.

Toronto Curry Awards Founder Romail Gulzar and host Ruchika Bindra. Photo Credit: Pukaar News

As well as celebrating the city’s diverse South Asian food scene, the dazzling evening was hosted by media personality Ruchika Bindra and featured show-stopping entertainment from dance groups including Colours of India. Guests also enjoyed mouth-watering canapés and a sumptuous three-course Indian meal freshly prepared by celebrity chef Dhruba Bastakoti.

Judges. Photo Credit: Pukaar News

After hundreds of public votes which were whittled down to a shortlist, the final decision was left in the capable hands of a panel of culinary expert judges. Harminder Singh Magon, Smita Chandra, Siva Swaminathan and Chef Harminder Singh selected what is the beginning of the best curry houses within Ontario.

The highly anticipated awards ceremony was broken down into six categories. Firangi won Best New Restaurant, Indian Cuisine by the Lake bagged Best Family Restaurant, Saravana Bhavan walked away with Best Vegetarian Restaurant, Warraich Grill for Best Take-Out Restaurant, and The Maharaja Boutique won both Best in Fine Dining and Restaurant of the Year 2018.

Photo Credit: Pukaar News

A total of $2,000 was raised and split equally between two partnering charities; Mississauga Food Bank and Sick Kids Foundation.

The successful and vibrant evening was made possible thanks to sponsors Duracell, Cobra Beer, Anand International and Shana Foods and associate sponsors Rubicon and KFI, as well as media partners ATN and Pukaar News.

Photo Credit: Pukaar News

Romail Gulzar, founder of Toronto Curry Awards, said: “We started our search for the very best curry houses in the city of Leicester, UK, and after 2 successful years, we wanted to bring that same enthusiasm to a diverse city like Toronto and embrace its multiculturalism and love for ethic food. The first year was a tremendous success and we are looking forward to watch it grow over the upcoming years.”

Winners of Restaurant of the Year and Best Fine Dining, The Maharaja Boutique. Photo Credit: Pukaar News

The Toronto Curry Awards will be back in 2019 and looks forward to another a great year.

Best Take-out, sponsored by Pukaar News
Winner: Warraich Grill
Runner-up: Royal India Sweets & Restaurant
Runner-up: SilverSpoon take-Out Restaurant

Best Family Restaurant, sponsored by Pukaar News
Winner: Indian Cuisine by the Lake Restaurant
Runner-up: Kwality Sweets & Restaurant
Runner-up: Lena’s Roti & Doubles

Best Vegetarian Restaurant, sponsored by Anand International
Winner: Saravana Bhavan
Runner-up: Godavari- South Indian Grandma’s Kitchen
Runner-up: Prem Sweets & Restaurant

Best New Restaurant, sponsored by Shana Foods
Winner: Firangi Restaurant
Runner-up: Baig’s Grill
Runner-up: Mayura Restaurant

Best Fine Dining Restaurant, associate sponsors KFI

Winner: The Maharaja Boutique
Runner-up: Avani Asian Indian Bistro
Runner-up: Firangi Restaurant

Restaurant of the Year, associate sponsors Rubicon
Winner: The Maharaja Boutique