The Aberdale Pub & Grill scoops Curry Life Editor’s Choice Award
Less than a year after an Indian restaurant opened within The Aberdale Pub & Grill, the venture has won an Editor’s Choice award at the Curry Life Awards 2026, the leading national awards scheme for Britain’s curry industry.
Step inside and you'll find a dedicated restaurant with full table service, while guests in the pub can order the same menu without leaving their table. It is a flexible approach that has attracted a broad mix of customers and helped the business build a loyal following in just a few months.
The restaurant was created through a partnership between Everards, one of Leicestershire’s best-known breweries, and restaurateurs Samir Desai, Parjinder “PJ” Singh and Mani Abadel.
PJ describes the food simply as "proper Indian food". The Goat Curry has quickly become one of the restaurant's most popular dishes, while the Mixed Grill is a favourite for sharing. Vegetarians are well catered for with dishes including Chilli Paneer, while Crispy Okra Fries have proved a hit with diners looking for something a little different. PJ also recommends the Meat Sheekh, one of the dishes he returns to time and again.
PJ is grateful to those who have supported the business from the beginning. "We're lucky to have such a diverse community," he says. "Customers keep coming back and supporting us, so this award really belongs to them."
For PJ, looking after customers is every bit as important as the food. "You can be in a pub, but still be treated like you're in a restaurant," he says. That philosophy shapes every visit and has helped turn first-time diners into regular customers. "Amazing Indian food in a proper pub – we'll definitely be back," said one customer.
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.
Thousands of customers voted for their favourite restaurants, takeaways and chefs from across the country, before judges went through a rigorous selection process to choose the winners. This year’s roll of honour spans the UK, from Brighton to Bolton and Taunton to Teesside.
Organised by Curry Life magazine, part of Curry Life Media Group, the Curry Life Awards honour professionals and business leaders in the curry industry who have demonstrated exceptional performance, achievement and culinary excellence.
Taking place annually, they play a crucial role in promoting best practices and raising standards across the sector.
The British curry industry boasts a turnover exceeding £4 billion annually. The UK's more than 10,000 curry restaurants and takeaways are overwhelmingly small and medium-sized businesses, many of them family-run, which make an important contribution to local economies, employment and communities across the country.
Curry Life Editor, Syed Belal Ahmed said: “The UK's curry industry features some of the country's most inspiring businesspeople and restaurateurs. We are delighted to give them a national platform from which to shout about their hard-won achievements so that they can continue to thrive.
“The British Curry Industry has, once again, done itself proud.”
Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE, former president of the CBI, founder of Cobra Beer and long-time supporter of the Curry Life Awards said: “The curry industry is an integral part of Britain’s economic, cultural and culinary life. It supports livelihoods in communities throughout the country, while continuing to unite people through a shared love of exceptional food.
“The Curry Life Awards recognise the remarkable talent, dedication and entrepreneurial spirit of the restaurateurs, chefs and teams whose hard work sustains this outstanding industry.
“By celebrating their achievements and encouraging the next generation, these awards help secure a strong and ambitious future for Britain’s curry industry, building on its proud heritage while embracing new opportunities for growth and innovation.”
MPs from across the country gathered at the Awards to support restaurants in their constituencies, including Lloyd Hatton MP from Weymouth, Dorset, and Gideon Amos OBE MP from Taunton, Somerset.
Rushanara Ali MP for Bethnal Green and Stepney and Dawn Butler MP for Brent East also attended the event. They all highlighted the role the winners play in their communities and the wider industry's contribution.
Addressing the audience in an impassioned speech, Dawn Butler MP described the British curry industry as “an extraordinary success for the UK” and urged support for its businesses: “We have to make sure that you survive.” Recognising the dedication behind that success, she said: “There's this journey of people who have got up early, who have worked hard to build their businesses.” Congratulating the winners, she added: “May we hold each other's hands through these difficult times to ensure that you all succeed.”
Syed Pasha, Editor-in-Chief, Curry Life Media Group, added: “Congratulations to the winners of the Curry Life Awards 2026. This year marks the 17th edition of our Awards - a celebration of excellence in the curry sector and a testament to our commitment to highlight the hard work, resilience and creativity in the sector. Restaurants up and down the country continue to face increased costs - from wages to ingredients and there is a real risk of a skills shortage following changes to immigration policies.
These Awards demonstrate why the sector needs further, significant support - so that it can continue its vital contribution to the UK economy.”
Residents are encouraged to visit The Aberdale Pub & Grill and celebrate its Editor’s Choice success.
The Curry Life Awards 2026 are proudly sponsored by Cobra Beer, Work Permit Cloud, Mealgo and Hillside Travels.
Aberdale Pub & Grill
111 Shackerdale Road Wigston
Leicester LE2 6HT
Tel 07386 948369
