On 9th October 2023, Sher-E-Bangla of Longfield, Dartford, owned by Jamia Alumnus Mumith Chowdhury Sumon (SSC 1996), has earned one of the highest honours in the UK culinary industry by winning “Regional Takeaway of the Year – Kent” at the Asian Restaurant & Takeaway Awards (ARTA) 2023.

Widely recognised by BBC and Sky as the “Oscars of the UK Curry Industry”, ARTA is the most prestigious and competitive award platform for Asian restaurants and takeaways in Britain. It is the only national award decided through a rigorous, multi-stage judging process driven directly by customers, industry experts, and regional culinary assessments. Heartfelt congratulations to Mumith Chowdhury Sumon, proud Graduate of Jamia Batch 1996, whose entrepreneurial excellence has earned national recognition in the United Kingdom.

🏆 Regional Takeaway of the Year – Kent (2023)

This is a truly exceptional achievement, especially considering ARTA’s highly competitive and rigorous selection process. Restaurants first undergo public nomination, followed by meticulous evaluation on:

✅ Quality and consistency of food
✅ Standard of service
✅ Value for money
✅ Customer reviews
✅ Hygiene and kitchen standards

Shortlisted restaurants then compete in live regional cook-offs, judged on flavour, texture, aroma, presentation and overall culinary mastery. Emerging as regional champion in such a demanding process is a testament to Mumith’s vision, leadership and commitment to excellence.

A Jamian Making His Mark in the UK Food Industry

Asian cuisine holds a powerful place in Britain’s culinary landscape, and Jamian entrepreneurs have long contributed to its growth. Mumith Chowdhury’s success stands as a shining example of how: Hard work, Business integrity, and Quality-focused service can elevate a local takeaway into an award-winning regional institution.

This honour also reflects the growing presence of Jamians as entrepreneurs, innovators and community leaders in the UK. From education to business, healthcare to technology, Jamians continue to demonstrate excellence and make their community proud.

Inspirational Journey

By securing this award, Mumith has shown that:

✅ Excellence begins with passion,
✅ Dedication leads to mastery, and
✅ Authentic flavour paired with heartfelt service always stands out.

His achievement inspires current students and alumni alike – proving that with vision and perseverance, Jamians can excel in every professional field, even in one as competitive as the UK hospitality sector. This prestigious award highlights how Jamians continue to shine across diverse industries worldwide, leaving a lasting impact through entrepreneurship, service, and excellence.

Congratulations once again to Mumith Chowdhury Sumon and the Sher-E-Bangla team.

A proud moment for the entire Jamia Alumni family.

Why the ARTA Win Matters

ARTA represents the pinnacle of achievement in the UK’s £5 billion South Asian hospitality sector. The awards highlight excellence in food quality, service, hygiene, value, culinary skill, and overall customer experience. Winning an ARTA award places a restaurant in the top tier of Asian cuisine providers in the United Kingdom.

How ARTA Judging Works
Success at ARTA requires excelling across three intense rounds of evaluation:
Stage 1: Customer Nomination Score (30%): Based on real customer submissions evaluating the quality of food, service, and value for money.
Stage 2: ARTA Score (30%): Calculated from Google Reviews, TripAdvisor feedback, and official Food Hygiene Ratings.
Stage 3: Regional Cook-Off Score (40%): A live cooking competition judged by expert chefs who assess flavour, aroma, texture, appearance, and overall execution.

Only restaurants that truly excel across all three phases make it to the final – and winners represent the best of the best in Britain’s Asian dining scene.

News Articles:

TimeOut: These are all the winners of the Asian Restaurant & Takeaway Awards 2023

Kent Online Regional News Website: Dining Room, Leysdown, and Sher-E-Bangla, Longfield, scoop awards for best Indian restaurants and takeaways in UK at ARTA 2023

NewsShopper: Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards: Sher-E-Bangla best takeaway