Birr-based Sanjay is a big winner at inaugural Asian Restaurant Awards

Sanjay's Kitchen in Birr, and the chef who gives the popular restaurant its name, was a big winner at the inaugural Asian Restaurant Awards this week.

Sanjay Vishwakarma was named Best Chef in Leinster in the Indian category at the ceremony in the Castleknock Hotel on Tuesday.

It is the latest accolade for eaterie based in Market Square, Birr, having previously won the seal of approval at the Irish Restaurant Awards as best chef in Offaly, and world cuisine categories.

Over 200 guests attended the night from throughout Ireland, competing for the 43 awards on offer covering a variety of categories such as Best New Indian Restaurants, Japanese Restaurants, Fine Dining, Front of House and many more.

Asheesh Dewan of the Jaipur Group, which includes Jaipur Dalkey, Jaipur Malahide, Ananda Dundrum and Chakra Greystones received the Outstanding Achievement Award.

The Asian Restaurant Week and Awards were set up by former restaurateur and hospitality consultant Paul O’Connor and food writer and journalist Suzanne Campbell to celebrate and highlight the ever-expanding Asian food scene in Ireland.

From establishing the well-known Irish Food Writing Awards in 2021, they wanted to celebrate and reward the cuisines, restaurants and chefs who have enriched Ireland in so many ways.

Founder of Asian Restaurant Awards, Paul O’Connor says: "Having been involved with Asian food businesses for many years the community was continually asking me to host something to celebrate Asian food in Ireland. So this restaurant week and awards celebrate the varied cuisines and culture of India and countries in this region."

Restaurants from across the island were represented in the finalists showcasing food from China, Japan, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, and cuisines from the South East Asian region.