THERE are celebrations at one Bicester curry house after yet again making it to the shortlist of the industry’s equivalent of the Oscars.

While Jaflong Tandoori Restaurant, in Market Square, did not win the Best in the South East 2016 at the British Curry Awards, they are pleased to have been nominated 12 times.

The restaurants are are given an award for reaching the shortlist and hope to go all the way next year.

Owner Shakur Ali, who runs the business with son Dilwar, said he was honoured to receive recognition in a tough year for some in the industry.

Oxford Mail: Bicester-based restaurant, Jaflong Tandoori Restaurant, has been shortlisted for the Best Spice Restaurant in South East award at the coveted 12th Annual British Curry Awards.Owner Shakur Ali with one of his dishes.

He said: "We have seen a number of restaurants close recently, but we have had a really good year.

"My restaurant is very popular locally. I have been running it for 20 years and have a good reputation and have made a lot of friends in Bicester and the surrounding area.

"People like our restaurant – it’s one of the oldest buildings in Bicester. Customers always come back I think they like the atmosphere and the Bangladeshi cuisine, which is subtly different to Indian food.

"Getting a British Curry Award year after year proves to us, and our customers, that we consistently offer quality food and a quality service."

In order to enter the awards, judges visited the restaurant, took photographs and made a video.

They were served two of the chef’s specials, a starter of Tufani platter – dishes based on chicken and lamb and other delicacies, and the main course was chicken rajma – a half and half dish, comprising of Bhuna style and a creamy almond sauce.

The judges also looked at how well the restaurant was run, its atmosphere and how the staff interacted with customers.

The awards were presented in a ceremony at Battersea Evolution, in Battersea Park, London, and were attended by a host of well-known faces including the Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson, Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling, celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal, footballer David Seaman and Dancing on Ice star Frankie Poultney.

Jaflong is a family runs the business and has been based in Bicester for 20 years.