The team at the Diwali restaurant in Swindon have received the Restaurant of Excellence Award at this year's MTM awards.
Earlier this month, the Diwali Restaurant team attended the annual MTM awards.
The Diwali restaurant serves Nepalese and Indian cuisine, and its chefs work from an extensive menu. It is in its seventh year since first opening in the centre of Swindon, on Faringdon Road.
The MTM awards aim to celebrate the excellence and achievement of the Asian, Black and Ethnic communities based within the South West.
This year celebrated 10 years of the MTM awards, and the event was held at the Delta Bristol Marriott Hotel.
Swindon's Diwali was shortlisted for the Restaurant of Excellence category, and went on to win the prestigious award.
The local restaurant was nominated, and voted for, by the Swindon public. The judging panel also came to the restaurant in the lead-up to this year's award, to taste the food and take in the atmosphere. They did not warn the staff ahead of time, and conducted a 'secret shopper' style visit.
Deependra Gurung, Diwali's Business Manager and Co-owner said: "Our first reaction was surprise and excitement. I was nervous as I wasn’t expecting anything more than to enjoy a night out at the awards and I was just happy that we were shortlisted.
“We forgot everything we would have planned to say if we did win and were in shock when our name was called as the winning restaurant.”
“Winning this award has been important to our team because its recognition for our service and for our good food. We want people to know us, and to know what we’re about.
“We are local, being on Faringdon Road, and we serve a whole host of different Nepalese and Indian dishes. We want people to come and enjoy our menu in the nice environment of our restaurant, and experience our good service.”
Head chef and Co-owner Ganga Kandel said he particularly recommends the Butter Chicken, Chicken Dhaniya Adraki, Daal Makhai, and the Chicken or Lamb Baglunge. These speciality dishes are said to be top sellers at Diwali.
Mr Kandel has also won three awards for his food at the British Curry Awards.
Both Deependra and Ganga said they have been in the restaurant trade their whole lives, and have a real passion for what they do.
The restaurant has also recently joined Just Eat and Deliveroo because of the increase in online demand for takeaway delivery.
More information about Diwali can be found on its website at https://www.diwaliswindon.com/swindon/ or via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DiwaliRestaurantSwindon
Members of the public can also get in touch with the Diwali team by calling 01793 617 000.
More information about the MTM awards can be found online at https://www.mtmawards.co.uk/
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