Leading India-origin caterer and hotelier Sanjay Anand was felicitated in the House of Commons here for winning the Member of the British Empire.
LONDON: Leading India-origin caterer and hotelier Sanjay Anand was felicitated in the House of Commons here for winning the Member of the British Empire (MBE) award for his services to the hospitality industry.
India's Petroleum and Natural Gas minister Murli Deora, who was among the digniataries present at the occasion last night, praised Anand for his achievement and hoped he would continue to serve quality Indian cuisine to the people.
Describing it as a 'great honour' to be felicitated in the House of Commons, 44-year-old Anand said 'good food and good service' have paid off.
Anand's contribution to the 3.2 billion pounds Indian restaurant Industry in the UK has continuously been recognized through an array of industry accolades he has received.
He has won the 'Best UK Restaurant' award and 'Industry Personality of the Year' title at the 2004 BIBA Awards, and the Best Outside Caterer Award at the 2007 Cobra Good Curry Guide Awards.
Anand received the MBE award last year from the then Prime Minister Tony Blair.
"I was only 10 years when I came to the UK from Nairobi following the Kenyan political unrest in the 1970s. I started taking interest in the catering when I was 14. We started serving food from home and at the age of 17 started Madhu's Brilliant restaurant which has emerged as one of the reputed restaurants in the Southall and the UK," said Anand while reminiscing his initial days of struggle.
Former England cricketer Ian Botham and American pop star Tina Turner are among some high profile guests who have enjoyed Anand's cuisine.
Keith Vaz MP, chairman, Home Affairs Select Committee, who hosted the function, presented a House of Commons memento to Murli Deora.
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