The Prime Minister has said selling curry to South Asia is no longer like "selling ice to the Eskimos" during at speech at the "Curry Oscars" last night.

David Cameron appeared on stage with Enam Ali, founder of the British Curry Awards and Le Raj restaurant in Epsom Downs, at the star-studded awards ceremony.

Restaurateurs from across the country descended on Battersea Evolution, in the heart of Battersea Park, along with politicians including Epsom and Ewell MP Chris Grayling.

Your Local Guardian:

Chris Tarrant, famous for TV game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, hosted the awards and jokingly plugged the telephone number for Mr Ali’s restaurant Le Raj.

In his speech David Cameron promised to back restaurateurs here at home and asked them keep on doing Britain proud abroad.

Mr Cameron said: "It used to be that selling curry to South Asia was a bit like selling ice to the Eskimos. Well, no longer.

Your Local Guardian:

"More than 200 years after that first curry house opened here in Britain, British-made curry is now heading the other way to Mumbai to Calcutta to Delhi.

"From next to nothing a decade ago to a huge success today. It’s an incredible story of innovation and I want it to be just the beginning."

Mr Ali said: "It is 200 years since curry first arrived in Britain. We also have another historical event to celebrate tonight, Prime Minister David Cameron you are the first serving premier to attend our event.

"We are very proud you have found time in your busy schedule to do this."

Special Spice Business magazine award for special contribution - Mr Mohammad Aslam

Best Curry Restaurants:

  • South West - Myristica
  • Wales - Bokhara Restaurant
  • North West - The Viceroy
  • North East - Raval
  • South East - Chez Mumtaz
  • Newcomer - Shampan 4
  • London Central - Benares