–NewsDesk(cbedit@imaws.org)
Chutney Mary, a renowned Indian restaurant in the heart of London, has been honored with the title of Restaurant of the Year at the prestigious AA Hospitality Awards. This annual event celebrates excellence in the UK’s hospitality industry, recognizing top restaurants, hotels, spas, and pubs.
The 33-year-old Chutney Mary, situated in central London, has long been a favorite dining spot for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and a popular hangout for numerous celebrities. The award was presented to the restaurant during a ceremony held in London on Monday night.
Camellia Panjabi, the Indian-origin Group Director of MW Eat, the UK-based hospitality company behind Chutney Mary, expressed her gratitude, saying, “This award is completely unexpected but greatly appreciated by my fellow directors and the committed long-serving team at Chutney Mary. It is particularly noteworthy since Chutney Mary is a 33-year-old restaurant; to be acknowledged now for this significant and esteemed achievement is especially touching, considering the focus among media is so often on the newest restaurants, food trends, and rising star chefs.”
Chutney Mary, which moved to St. James’s Street near London’s Ritz Hotel in 2015 after 25 years in Chelsea, is known for its glamorous interior design inspired by different regions of India and its menu featuring contemporary Indian cuisine.
Simon Numphud, Managing Director of the AA Media Group, praised Chutney Mary, stating, “Chutney Mary is one of London’s finest restaurants and a class act. It combines a wonderful stylish location and interiors, accomplished cooking, and delivering exceptional dishes with fantastic hospitality and service. Such a great restaurant, loved by so many, is so deserving to be our AA Restaurant of the Year for London.”
Chutney Mary’s recognition at the AA Hospitality Awards was attributed to the originality, regionality, and innovation of its cuisine, as well as its exceptional hospitality. Notably, it was the sole Indian restaurant to receive an award at the ceremony, attended by over 1,000 representatives and celebrities from Britain’s hospitality industry.
The AA’s hotel and restaurant guides have been a staple in the UK since 1967, with the Rosette awards dating back to 1956 as one of the first nationwide schemes to recognize excellence in restaurants and hotels. Each year, winners are selected in various categories based on unannounced professional inspections, and these accolades represent some of the UK’s finest dining experiences.
