The Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards (ARTA), also known as the Curry Award or Curry Oscars, is the UK’s most prestigious recognition for Asian restaurants, takeaways, and chefs. But what makes ARTA so significant? How does it impact the food industry, and why should both restaurant owners and food lovers care about it?

This article breaks down everything you need to know about ARTA—its history, judging process, impact, and why winning this award is a game-changer for restaurants.

What Is ARTA? A Quick Overview

ARTA is an annual award ceremony that recognises excellence in Indian, Bangladeshi, Chinese, Thai, and other Asian cuisines across the UK. It highlights the best restaurants and takeaways, rewarding them for:

Authenticity – Traditional cooking methods and rich flavours

Quality – Fresh ingredients and top-tier preparation

Customer Service – A great dining experience

Innovation – Unique dishes and creative menu ideas

Winning an ARTA award is a huge honour and can significantly boost a restaurant’s reputation.


How Are Restaurants Judged? The ARTA Selection Process

Unlike many awards that rely only on critic reviews, ARTA uses a detailed, fair, and transparent selection process. Here’s how it works:

Public Voting

Customers nominate and vote for their favourite restaurants. This ensures the awards represent real customer preferences, not just expert opinions.

Mystery Dining Visits

Once shortlisted, restaurants are visited by mystery diners who assess:

Food taste and presentation

Customer service and staff friendliness

Restaurant cleanliness and atmosphere

Expert Judging Panel

Top industry professionals review the results and select the winners based on taste, innovation, consistency, and service.

This thorough process ensures only the best earn the ARTA title.


5 Reasons Why ARTA Matters in the Food Industry

1. It Recognises the Hard Work of Chefs & Restaurateurs

Running a restaurant is tough—long hours, demanding customers, and competition. ARTA gives well-deserved recognition to chefs and restaurant owners who put their heart into delivering great food and service.

2. It Helps Customers Find the Best Asian Restaurants

With thousands of restaurants in the UK, it can be hard to know which ones truly stand out. ARTA winners are proven to offer top-quality food and service, making them a great choice for food lovers.

3. It Drives Business Growth

Winning an ARTA award increases a restaurant’s credibility, visibility, and customer base. Many past winners have seen:

📈 Higher footfall and online orders

📢 More media coverage

💰 Greater business expansion opportunities

4. It Encourages Innovation in Asian Cuisine

ARTA doesn’t just celebrate tradition—it also recognises chefs who experiment with new flavours, fusion dishes, and modern techniques. This pushes the industry forward and keeps Asian cuisine exciting and evolving.

5. It Promotes Sustainability in the Restaurant Sector

With sustainability becoming crucial, ARTA highlights restaurants that adopt eco-friendly practices, such as:

🌿 Using locally sourced ingredients

♻️ Reducing food waste

🍃 Offering plant-based options

This helps the industry move towards a more responsible and sustainable future.


How Winning ARTA Can Transform a Restaurant’s Success

📌 Increased Customer Trust

People are more likely to visit a restaurant with a recognised award. ARTA winners become top choices for food lovers.

📌 More Media Exposure

Winning an ARTA award brings news coverage, social media buzz, and higher online visibility, helping restaurants attract new customers.

📌 Higher Revenue Growth

More customers mean higher sales—many past ARTA winners have seen a significant rise in their earnings after winning the award.


Conclusion: Why ARTA Matters for Every Food Lover and Restaurant Owner

ARTA is more than just an award; it’s a standard of excellence in the UK’s Asian food industry. Whether you’re a restaurant owner looking to gain recognition or a food lover searching for the best dining experience, ARTA plays a crucial role in shaping the future of Asian cuisine.

So next time you’re craving a delicious curry or authentic Asian meal, look for an ARTA-winning restaurant—you’re guaranteed an exceptional experience!

#ARTA #CurryAward #AsianCuisine #RestaurantAwards #FoodIndustry