A Blackburn restaurant has been recognised as one of the best casual dining restaurants in the country for the second year running.

Kebabish, on Whalley New Road, was a joint winner of ‘Best Casual Dining’ prize in the Asian Restaurant Awards 2022, having been awarded the same accolade in the 2021 awards.

Owner Arif Aman said: “This is the second year we have got the award for the North of England.

“The first one was special but to maintain and continue that and keep up the services is great.

“It’s been difficult, but we have been okay.

“We are proud to maintain our business to the highest quality possible.”

Lancashire Telegraph: Kebabish staff with their awardKebabish staff with their award

The popular eatery came joint first with Rassai in Altrincham, Greater Manchester.

Another winner in the county was Zen in Lytham St Annes, which was named ‘Best Thai’ restaurant.

Held at the Hilton Manchester Piccadilly on Monday, June 27, the event was sponsored by Just Eat and Booker Wholesale.

Lancashire Telegraph: The takeaway won the award in 2021 and 2022The takeaway won the award in 2021 and 2022

Awards organiser, Yawar Khan, Chairman of the Asian Catering Federation (ACF), spoke of the industry’s need to: “Adapt and embrace change, or risk becoming just become another statistic, amid widespread restaurant closures, against ever-rising rising costs, with no Government plan to help alleviate the pain being felt through the hospitality sector.”

Restaurant consultant George Shaw added: "I've seen some past winners double their turnover inside two months, after they celebrated their achievement with customers in style, securing coverage on local TV, radio and in newspapers, hitting their marketing database and social media followers and investing wisely in targeted advertising."

 Winners at the year’s event will be included in the ACF’s new ‘One Hundred Top Curry Restaurants’ guide, which is being published currently, region–by–region, online and in print next year.