It’s two in-a-row for Blackhall restaurant
Local Indian restaurant, The Cove, is celebrating after winning ‘Asian Restaurant of the Year, Edinburgh’ for the second year in a row at the Asian Restaurant Awards.
The ceremony, held at the Sheraton Grand Hotel on Tuesday 1 November, saw restaurants from all over the Capital and the rest of Scotland compete for the coveted trophies.
The eatery, located in Blackhall, opened three years ago and has proved popular with locals and tourists alike.
Masum Uddin, owner said: “I was surprised but delighted when The Cove won the award last year, but to win two years in a row is just amazing. Thank you to the panel for choosing us!
“To win this award is testament to the team we have at The Cove and our loyal customers who have supported us.
“We always strive to go that extra mile, both with our menu and our customer service and it’s lovely to see that hard work pay off.”
The awards are organised by the Asian Catering Federation, representing more than 30,000 restaurants.
Foysol Choudhury MSP: “It’s time to give Scotland’s restaurants the support they deserve”
Responding after the successful 6th Annual Asian Restaurant Awards, held at the Sheraton Hotel in Edinburgh on the 1st November, Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “The restaurant industry is facing a devastating crisis.
“Whilst it was amazing to congratulate all of our nation’s fantastic winners and taste some delicious food on Tuesday night, it also became evident that urgent action is needed to prevent Scotland’s restaurant industry from being buried underneath the rubble of the cost-of-living crisis.
“It was an honour to be asked to speak on Tuesday night and to present awards to some of Scotland’s most prestigious, delicious and well-loved restaurants.
“At a time when the sector is facing significant challenges with staff shortages, along with rising energy and food prices, it is important that we acknowledge excellence and celebrate the success of Asian Restaurants across Scotland.
“I would like to congratulate Mr Yawar Khan, the Chairman of the Asian Catering Federation, and his hard-working team for organising the 6th Asian Restaurant Awards in an amazing venue.
“However, as well as celebrating achievements, we also need to offer the restaurant industry concrete support and solutions to the problems they are facing.
“There is no doubt that restaurant and catering businesses in Scotland have suffered during COVID-19 and now the cost-of-living crisis.
“Even before this, problems with recruiting staff were also a prominent issue in the industry. On Tuesday night, some winners of awards weren’t able to attend as they couldn’t find cover.
“I know from speaking to many of the restaurateurs on Tuesday night that they desperately need the Government’s support and guidance-with VAT and business rates, with energy costs, with staffing.
“I will be writing to both the UK Government and the Scottish Government to see what collaborative approach can be taken so that Scotland’s restaurant industry can receive the supportive scaffolding that it is desperately asking for.
“I’ll also be asking for meetings with the appropriate Scottish Ministers and lodging a motion of congratulations, to support the amazing success and provision of our nation’s restaurant industry.
“It’s time to give Scotland’s restaurants the support that they deserve.”