I was absolutely thrilled to attend the British Kebab Awards ceremony held in London this week as 2 Mid Sussex based businesses received awards.
Our tremendous local chef, Fatma Gungor of Fatma's Kitchen in Haywards Heath has been repeatedly nominated for an award in this often male-dominated industry. In 2022 she won a Chef of the Year award becoming the first female to win this accolade and this year she was again the only woman among the shortlisted. So, I was truly delighted to be there when she won a greatly deserved special recognition award in the 2023 Chef of the Year category. Well done once again to Fatma!
Many hearty congratulations on receiving the Directors Award go to the team from EG Charcoal Grill from East Grinstead. It was a real honour to be part of the team presenting them with this final award of the night, the Directors Award, alongside my colleague, Dean Russell MP for Watford, Adam Hug, Musa Akan & Mehmet Nezir Korkut.
Our whole hospitality sector is truly amazing, adaptable and an inspiration and it was brilliant to see Kate Nicholls, CEO of UK Hospitality, supporting the night.
This is now a huge evening where MPs from across the land and from all parties are out backing this brilliant industry and hospitality businesses which have been through so much in recent years - bravo to the organisers and sponsors on a marvellous celebration.