An Indian takeaway in Dagenham has been presented with a prestigious award. 

The Clay Oven of Whalebone Lane, Dagenham was honoured with the Best Takeaway award at the 14th Curry Life Awards for 2023. 

The awards were created by brothers Syed Pasha and Syed Ahmed, who arrived in the UK from Bangladesh in the 1970s, and debuted the awards in 2009. 

The 2023 awards were held on October 15 at the London Marriott in Grosvenor Square. 

The Clay Oven owner, Milul Chowdhury, said: "It was exciting to find out we were finalists in the awards, and now to go on and win is amazing. It will do so much for our business and makes us feel so proud.”

Barking and Dagenham Post: Chef Abdul Halim (left), Millul Chowdhury (middle), Marketing manager Rukon Hannan (right) holding the takeaway's award.Chef Abdul Halim (left), Millul Chowdhury (middle), Marketing manager Rukon Hannan (right) holding the takeaway's award. (Image: Curry Life)

The business, which has been established for over 12 years, is run by Milul with the help of his son, who handles marketing and promotion for the Clay Oven.

The popular spot is equipped with a traditional clay oven, hence its name, and grills meats in it using barbeque-style techniques. The restaurant also offers customers more traditional options that are said to be the most popular at the weekends. 

The 2023 awards attracted an audience of over 500 people, including founder of Cobra Beer and House of Lords member Lord Karan Billimoria and representatives for the headline sponsor JustEat. 

Lord Billimoria said: "I congratulate the award winners. Everyone who was on the stage has made sacrifices and worked hard. Your achievements inspire all of us, particularly younger people, to aspire and achieve themselves.”

A total of 44 awards were presented during the evening, spread across five categories: Editor’s Choice, Best Restaurant, Best Takeaway, Best Chef and Best Recommended Restaurant. 

Barking and Dagenham Post: Millul and his team pictured with Lucrezia Millarini (far left) and Lord Karan Bilimoria (far right).Millul and his team pictured with Lucrezia Millarini (far left) and Lord Karan Bilimoria (far right). (Image: Curry Life)

Matt Hopper, head of partner and courier marketing at Just Eat, said: “Just Eat is once again honoured to be sponsoring the Curry Life Awards.

"We’re all here to celebrate success and the hard work you and your teams put in. We’re here to celebrate how delicious your food is and how much your business has grown and to applaud what you do for your local communities.

"It’s been Just Eat’s honour to sponsor the Curry Life Awards as we are only successful when our partners are successful. We commend all of the winners.”