Leicester’s Broadway Bar & Grill scoops Best Chef award
Samir Desai, the chef at Leicester’s Broadway Bar & Grill, continues to wow diners, having been named Best Chef of the Year at the Curry Life Awards 2026. for his the leading national awards scheme for Britain’s curry industry.
During his 10 years as a taxi driver, he ate out regularly but was often disappointed by the food he found.
“Wherever we went, we didn’t find quality food,” he says. “Indian food means it has to be natural spice, with dry spices and herbs.” When the opportunity arose to take on The Broadway Bar & Grill, Samir began creating his own dishes, recipes and spice blends.
Samir’s cooking continues to focus on traditional flavours and natural ingredients rather than artificial colours and flavourings, with zero-oil cooking another important part of his approach. The menu combines curries, grills and sizzlers with vegetarian choices.
Dhaba Curry is one of The Broadway’s signatures: a medium-spiced Indian-style brown sauce available with paneer, chicken or lamb, including meat on or off the bone.
For Samir, Best Chef recognises the philosophy that first brought him into the industry: creating the authentic Indian food he wanted to eat himself. “I’d like to thank the Curry Life Awards, my customers who supported me through all the good and bad times, and especially my family – my wife and my brother – who supported me throughout this journey.”
Samir’s other standout dishes include Crispy Chicken, King Prawn Tower and Garlic Chilli Chicken, alongside substantial Lamb Chops. Asked which dish he prefers himself, Samir laughs: “My favourite dish is everything.” His favourite ingredient, however, is green chilli. “It gives you a kick,” he says. “It’s a natural ingredient, so it won’t give you a bad stomach or heartburn.”
As one customer says: “The food is full of flavour, and the spices taste fresh and natural. The grills and sizzlers are always excellent.”
The Curry Life Awards 2026 took place on Sunday 4 October at the InterContinental London Park Lane, at a ceremony hosted by BBC presenters and journalists Jon Kay and Luxmy Gopal.
The event brought together more than 500 guests, including British Asian entrepreneurs and professionals from across the hospitality industry, to celebrate the best of the curry sector and highlight its excellence, innovation and entrepreneurship.
A total of 41 Awards were presented to winners from across the country in different categories, including Best Restaurant, Best Chef, Editor’s Choice and Best Takeaway.
Broadway Bar & Grill
Address: 263–265 Abbey Lane, Leicester LE4 5QH
Website: https://thebroadwaybarandgrill.com/
