Ruhit's Indian Cuisine Crowned 'Regional Chef of the Year' at ARTA 2026

The annual Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards (ARTA) 2026 recently concluded, celebrating the resilience, creativity, and excellence of the UK's Asian hospitality sector. During the highly anticipated ceremony, Ruhit's Indian Cuisine, London was officially crowned with the coveted title of "Regional Chef of the Year" for the North London Region.   

The award ceremony, which brought together leading restaurateurs, chefs, and hospitality professionals from across the country, took place on October 12th at the London Hilton on Park Lane.   

A Rigorous Path to Victory

The path to winning an ARTA is highly competitive and consumer-driven. For the 2026 edition, more than 1,250 businesses across the UK were nominated, reflecting the immense strength and diversity of Asian restaurants and takeaways.   

Ruhit's Indian Cuisine secured the prestigious award following a rigorous multi-stage evaluation process. The assessment considered several critical factors to determine the winners, including:   

• Customer nominations based on food quality, service, and value for money.   

• Aggregated review scores from platforms including Google and Tripadvisor.   

• Official food hygiene ratings.   

• A final evaluation conducted by a dedicated panel of judges.   
  

Strategic Partner ChefOnline, an online food-ordering platform with a customer base exceeding one million, also played a key role by inviting customers to nominate their favorite local businesses.   

A Star-Studded Celebration of Hospitality

The ARTA Grand Finale & Gala Evening serves as a major national platform to recognize outstanding achievements and celebrate the contribution of Asian hospitality to Britain's economy, communities, and multicultural identity.   

The 2026 ceremony was hosted by TV news anchor Samantha Simmonds and comedian Paul Sinha. The event drew notable attendees, including actor and dancer Lauren Gottlieb, singer and former Lok Sabha Member Hans Raj Hans, and Paul Waugh MP.   

During the event, Mohammed Munim, Founder and CEO of ARTA, congratulated the winners and addressed the broader industry landscape. He noted the significant pressures restaurants face from rising employment costs, food prices, and energy bills, while praising the resilience and determination of independent businesses that continue to invest in quality and the customer experience.   

"This industry represents far more than food," Munim stated. "It is an integral part of multicultural Britain, supporting communities, creating employment and bringing extraordinary culinary experiences to diners across the country".   

For diners in North London, the "Regional Chef of the Year" award serves as a powerful testament to the culinary excellence and dedicated service consistently delivered by the team at Ruhit's Indian Cuisine.