Two Indian restaurants in Bristol are in the running for prestigious national food awards. The Bangladeshi Catering Association (BCA) Awards honour restaurants serving high-quality, authentic Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine.

Curry Raj Indian Takeaway on Church Road has made the shortlist for the Chef of the Year category. And Achari Indian Kitchen on Cotham Hill has been selected as a finalist for Restaurant of the Year.

Formed in 1960, the Bangladesh Caterers Association (BCA) says it is the “voice of the curry industry”. It was created to promote Bangladeshi hospitality in the UK and now represents thousands of restaurants and takeaways across the country.

Achari Indian Kitchen has been in Bristol since 1992, first opening as Indian Ocean. Manager Kamrul Islam said: “This recognition highlights the dedication of our team in offering high-quality, authentic Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine to the local community. We believe this is a significant milestone, not just for our restaurant but also in celebrating the rich culinary traditions of the Indian and Bangladeshi communities across the UK.”

Abdul Hamid, manager of Curry Raj, said: “This recognition is a significant milestone for us and reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality Indian cuisine to the local community. Being recognised by such a prestigious organisation is an honour.”

Award organisers said they were “overwhelmed” by the high volume of applications received for this year’s awards. The winners will be announced at the BCA Awards and Annual Dinner 2024 later this year.