"The kebab shop is the light that never goes out": the British Kebab Awards 2018 winners are announced

In a powerful speech in support of the UK’s kebab industry, Dogus, who founded the awards ceremony, urged the public to “celebrate the people who come here from across the globe and help build a better Britain”.

More than 1,200 guests attended the ceremony at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel, the proceeds from which raised money for the bone and soft tissue cancer charity Sarcoma UK.

Winners were chosen by the judging panel, which included former Conservative chairwoman Baroness Warsi; Children’s and Families’ Minister Nadhim Zahawi; Shadow Economic Secretary Jonathan Reynolds; Amjad Bashir MEP; and Heart Radio presenter Lucy Horobin, who co-hosted the event with newsreader Tim John.

Mazlum Demir of Barnet’s Skewd Kitchen was named the best chef of the year, while Atalay’s in Thame, Oxfordshire, was named best kebab van in the UK.

Tarshish Mediterranean Grill in Wood Green was named the winner of the Fine Dining award.

“In an otherwise darkened street, the kebab shop is the light that never goes out,” Dogus said, before the winners were announced.

According to Dogus, the kebab industry contributes more than £2.8bn a year to the British economy, and supports around 200,000 jobs across restaurants, suppliers and the food industry.

The list of winners in full is as follows:

Best chef - Mazlum Demir/Skewd Kitchen, Barnet, London

Cobra Beer Best Fine Dining - Tarshish Mediterranean Grill, Wood Green, London

Just Eat Best Delivery - Irmak BBQ, Dunstable, Beds

Bira London Best Kebab Restaurant in South and East London - Cappadocia Restaurant, Kingston

Best Kebab Restaurant in North and West London - Ali's Berlin Doner, Ealing

Ace4Kebabs Customer Satisfaction - Uni Kebab, Southampton

Best Value Restaurant - Gokyuzu, Harringay, London

Best Kebab House in Wales - Golden BBQ, Cardiff

Best Kebab House in Northern Ireland - Chaska, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh

Best Kebab House in Scotland - Verdo Turkish BBQ, Edinburgh

Best Newcomer Kebab House in London/Outside London - Pircio, Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire

Best Takeaway Regional - Master Kebabs, Gillingham, Kent

Alton&Co Best Takeaway in London - Joint winner: Wallington Express, Wallington & Greek On The Street, Croydon

Big K Best Kebab Restaurant Regional - Turknaz Restaurant, Whitley Bay, Northumberland

Best Supplier Award - Holland Bazaar, Enfield, London

International Restaurateur Honorary Award - Cuneyt Asa