ONE Bicester restaurant has been handed British Curry Award every year since the contest was launched – and this year is no exception.

Jaflong Tandoori Restaurant, in Market Square, was once again named as a finalist in the awards, making it one of the top curry houses in the South East of England.

The British Curry Awards are the industry’s equivalent of the Oscars and take place every year to celebrate industry talent and quality.

This year Jaflong was a finalist – one of only 12 restaurants from the South East to be so recognised.

Each restaurant is given an award for reaching the final, including Jaflong.

The restaurant lost out in the South East category to Malik’s in Cookham, Berkshire.

Family-run Jaflong has now reached the finals eight times and has also made the semi-final shortlist an additional five times.

As part of the application process, judges paid a surprise visit to the restaurant to try out food, the service and atmosphere.

Owner Shakur Ali said: “We have won awards 13 years running because the food and service is consistently good.

“We are part of the Bicester community.

“About 80 per cent of our customers are regulars and I think that’s because Jaflong has been under the same management for 21 years and the staff have been with us for many years.

“The restaurant is in a great location, it’s warm and cosy and people love the character of the building.”

Dignitaries, celebrities and politicians joined restaurant owners and their staff at the swanky bash at Battersea Evolution, in London, last month, November 27.

This year guests included MPs Sir Vince Cable, Chris Grayling and Khalid Mahmood, former footballer David Seaman, broadcasters Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Rageh Omaar, and journalist and television personality Nina Myskow.

As well as celebrating industry talent the British Curry Awards called on the Government to review immigration laws, which it said has resulted in a shortage of curry chefs being allowed into the UK.

Last year Jaflong Tandoori celebrated its 20th anniversary in Bicester.