Scotland’s best curry chef and restaurant are on the outskirts of Edinburgh, judges at the British industry’s awards have announced.

Matin Khan, Executive Chef of Itihaas in Dalkeith, was named Chef of the Year and the 150 seat Radhuni in nearby Loanhead, run by his son Habibur, Restaurant of the Year in the Curry Life Awards.

They were presented last night (12 October) at a gala dinner attended by 500 industry leaders, restaurateurs, politicians and the media at the Marriott Grosvenor Square in London’s Mayfair. They are organised by national trade magazine Curry Life.

Judges said the Award “cements The Radhuni’s status as one of the top 20 curry houses in Britain and the best in Scotland, and celebrates the leadership of Habibur khan who has guided the family business and inherited his father’s passion.”

The Awards, hosted by ITV broadcaster Nina Hossain and which regularly attract UK Cabinet Ministers, are given on a regional basis.

They are billed as “highlighting outstanding performance, innovation and culinary excellence” in the sector.

There are an estimated 10,000 curry restaurants in Britain.

Judges said Matin Khan’s title made him one of the top nine curry chefs in Britain and celebrated “his almost four decades in hospitality, dedication to Bangladeshi cuisine and his contribution to the local community.”

They added that he followed “a culinary philosophy centred on balancing regional authenticity with customers’ beloved favourite dishes, all the while stressing value for money.”

Matin is the founder and Executive Chef of both restaurants.

The commendation said he had raised several hundred thousands of pounds for local good causes.

The Radhuni’s success was “the direct result of its family-rooted philosophy of treating every guest with honour, time and respect, commitment to cooking innovative regional dishes in small batches, and dedication to surrounding communities,” judges added.

Habibur commented: “We treat every guest as we would treat an elder in our own family and make them feel they’re in their second home.”

Among VIPs who have attended previous Curry Life Awards are Prime Ministers Sirs Keir Starmer and Tony Blair, London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan and former Home Secretary Dame Priti Patel.

Lord Karan Bilimoria, former President of the Confederation of British Industry who presented the Awards, described the industry as “a cornerstone of Britain’s culinary landscape.”