The Asian Restaurant & Takeaway Awards (ARTA) 2025, dubbed the ‘Curry Oscars’, took place on Monday night (October 6).
Kaani Kaana secured two trophies: the best Asian takeaway in Essex and the best Asian takeaway in the country.
The business was founded in 2022 when Sadiq Ahmed launched the brand in Chelmsford and won the same award in 2023.
Sadiq founded Kaani Kaana in 2022(Image: Sadiq Ahmed)
In April this year, Sadiq opened his second branch in St Marys Lane, Upminster.
He told the Recorder: “It honestly means the world to us.
“Winning these two awards again feels incredibly special.
“The first time was amazing, but the second time confirms that it wasn’t a fluke, it shows that everything our team is doing is making a real difference.”
Sadiq previously revealed that he founded Kaani Kaana after he felt there was a lack of progression in the Indian and Bangladeshi takeaway market.
His father used to own restaurants and takeaways which Sadiq would spend time in after school.
After 15 years of working in commercial banking, Sadiq returned to one of his father’s businesses and claimed it had not changed at all.
He aims to innovate and develop the market through Kaani Kaana.
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He said: “Our mission has always been to strive for perfection, even knowing we’ll never truly reach it.
“But that pursuit pushes us to improve every single day and moments like this remind us why we started and why we keep going.
“As business owners, you’re always questioning yourself, ‘are we doing the right thing, are we improving, did we deserve this’? But winning again has given us that reassurance that we’re on the right path.
“It’s motivated every single person at Kaani Kaana to keep striving higher, because chasing perfection is what helps us improve every time.”
This year’s ARTA ceremony was held at Hilton London in Park Lane and welcomed several MPs, celebrities, and TV personalities alongside restaurateurs.
ARTA founder Mohammed Munim praised this year’s winners for their “dedication and passion, which bring extraordinary flavours and experiences to diners nationwide”.
He highlighted how the industry represents a celebration of the richness of multicultural Britain whilst acknowledging ongoing challenges including rising costs and labour shortages.
Sadiq said: “The evening itself was surreal, being amongst so many incredible restaurants and then hearing our name called out not once but twice was overwhelming.
“To be crowned winners twice in just three years is something we never imagined.”
Sadiq gave thanks to everyone at the Kaani Kaana family from his chefs to his front of house team and delivery drivers.
He also gave thanks to his customers.
“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts – your support means everything and these awards are for you as much as they are for us,” he added.
“This win has lit an even bigger fire in us.
“We’re only just getting started, and we can’t wait to celebrate it with our team, our customers and all our supporters.”
