RESTAURANTS hit by soaring costs are hoping to spice up their trading prospects by winning a prestigious accolade.

Several eateries in the Southampton area are among those shortlisted in the Asian Curry Awards, one of the highlights of the catering industry's year.

Contenders will now be whittled down in a public vote, with the winners being announced at London's Grosvenor House Hotel on November 20.

Daily Echo: Yawar Khan, chairman of the Asian Catering Federation, which stages the annual Asian Curry AwardsYawar Khan, chairman of the Asian Catering Federation, which stages the annual Asian Curry Awards (Image: Asian Curry Awards)

Entries include one of Southampton's best-known restaurants, Kuti's Brasserie, where the new prime minister, Rishi Sunak, once worked as a waiter.

Owner Kuti Miah is a friend of the Sunak family and has known the former chancellor since he was a baby.

READ MORE: Rishi Sunak 'did shifts for fun' at Indian restaurant in Southampton

Daily Echo: Kuti Miah, owner of Kuti's Brasserie, is hoping to do well at the 2022 Asian Curry AwardsKuti Miah, owner of Kuti's Brasserie, is hoping to do well at the 2022 Asian Curry Awards (Image: Martini archive)

Speaking in 2020 he said: "He grew up in front of me and I always said Rishi is going to be an important person because he was so very clever and nice."

Mr Miah said Mr Sunak had worked several shifts as a waiter “for fun” because he liked meeting people.

Daily Echo: The Suan Thai restaurant in Romsey is among the eateries shortlisted in the 2022 Asian Curry Awards. Picture: Asian Catering FederationThe Suan Thai restaurant in Romsey is among the eateries shortlisted in the 2022 Asian Curry Awards. Picture: Asian Catering Federation (Image: Asian Catering Federation)

Two other contenders walked away with awards at last year's Asian Curry Awards.

Ottoman Kitchen in Southampton won the Middle Eastern Restaurant of The Year award for the third consecutive year, and Rivaaz in Lymington was named Asian Restaurant of The Year in the South Coast of England.

The awards are organised by the Asian Catering Federation (ACF), which represents 30,000 restaurants and takeaways.

Daily Echo: Niyazi Khan, of Ottoman Kitchen, Southampton, with the award he won last yearNiyazi Khan, of Ottoman Kitchen, Southampton, with the award he won last year (Image: Asian Catering Federation)

Eateries across the UK are facing a combination of soaring energy costs and bookings slump caused by the cost of living crisis.

ACF chairman Yawar Khan urged the public to cast their votes, saying it could make all the difference to the eventual winners.

“Every week I hear from another owner closing their restaurant because they cannot see an end in sight to the economic situation, but an award win can bring a massive upsurge in trade," he said.

“For customers wanting to help their favourite restaurants survive, their votes can be crucial.”

READ MORE: Asian Curry Awards 2021: See the Hampshire winners

This year winners will be included in the ACF’s new One Hundred Top Curry Restaurants guide, which is being published region by region.

The Hampshire restaurants shortlisted are: Suan Thai, Romsey; Ottoman Kitchen, Southampton; Rimjhim, Winchester; Fair Oak Curry House; Akash Restaurant, Southsea; Kuti's Brasserie, Southampton; Spice Route, Andover; Rivaaz, Lymington.

To vote go online and visit asiancurryawards.com.

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