Turkish restaurants in Haywards Heath and East Grinstead put Mid Sussex on the map at 11th British Kebab Awards

Fatma Gungor of Fatma’s Kitchen in The Broadway won a recognition award in the Chef of the Year category. EG Charcoal Grill in Railway Approach, East Grinstead, won the Directors Award.

The glittering ceremony took place at Park Plaza, Westminster Bridge Hotel, on Tuesday, February 28.

Fatma told the Middy: “It’s my second time to receive this award and I was as excited for this one as the first one. It is a proud event for me and my restaurant. I am also very proud of being the first lady winner of this annual traditional British Kebab Award competition.”

Fatma thanked her team and her supportive customers, as well as Mid Sussex MP Mims Davis, who attended the event, the sponsors and British Kebab Awards founder Ibrahim Dogus.

She added: “My customers come to our restaurant and they like the food and leave satisfied. When they are satisfied, I am very happy too. It is very nice feeling to put a smile on people’s faces.”

Mims Davies said: “Our tremendous local chef, Fatma Gungor of Fatma’s Kitchen in Haywards Heath has been repeatedly nominated for an award in this often male-dominated industry.”

She said: “This year she was again the only woman among the shortlisted, so I was truly delighted to be there when she won a greatly deserved special recognition award.”

Mrs Davies said of EG Charcoal Grill: “It was a real honour to be part of the team presenting them with this final award of the night, the Directors Award, alongside my colleague, Dean Russell MP for Watford, Adam Hug, Musa Akan & Mehmet Nezir Korkut.”

The British Kebab Awards are run in association with Just Eat and are supported by the Kebab Alliance. They aim to recognise and champion the efforts of local kebab takeaways and restaurants in the UK. Their sponsors include: Kraft Heinz, Cobra Beer, Eatplanted, Cobra Beer, Toast Inc, Kismet Kebabs, and Navson.

Ibrahim Dogus said: “Kebab eateries are a key part of the local community and it’s great to see so many entries at the end of a year that has tested every business operating in the hospitality sector.”

Find out more about the award winners at www.fatmaskitchen.co.uk or egcharcoal.co.uk.