Zyka in Reading has been recognized one of the best curry places in the UK.

The Indian restaurant in Tilehurst was one of just 22 venues in the entire country to receive the prize for Best Curry Restaurants of the Year at the Curry Life Awards on Sunday.

It was the only Reading venue featured at the gala in the Royal Lancaster Hotel London, held at the end of National Curry Week Celebration.

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“It’s always pretty humbling to be recognized initially and then to actually win something is absolutely a great feeling, especially after what the industry has gone through over the last year and half. It’s an amazing feeling to get that far let alone win it,” said co-owner Zak Khan.

Mr Khan, who also runs The Switch café, thanked his staff for the work they had put it in.

“Without the core unit of staff that we had it wouldn’t have been possible to trade throughout the lockdownlet alone thrive and get through it and win something, so as cliched as it sounds it’s down to the great team that we have.”

This is not the first time the restaurant have won a Curry Life Award, and in 2019 Zyka was shortlisted as best newcomer in the British Curry Awards.

They have been nominated for this year’s British Curry Awards for the Best Delivery Restaurant category.

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President of the Confederation of British Industry Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE, said: "Like many business sectors over the past couple of years, the hospitality industry has been through the ringer because of the Covid pandemic.

"It is great to see it not only emerging from this dark period but also leading the way for other business sectors. Now that the economy is gathering momentum, it is truly heart-warming and instructive to hear of some of the stories of innovation, and pure hard work, emerging from this year's Curry Life Awards.

"Well done to Curry Life for once again throwing a spotlight onto these examples of best practice and the brilliant people behind them."

Curry Life Magazine organizes the awards ceremony every year, with more than 600 guests attending.

Last weeks event was hosted by veteran journalist and broadcaster Angela Rippon and Mike Bushell.