Cyrus Todiwala named BBC Food Personality of the Year
Celebrity chef Cyrus Todiwala has been named Food Personality of the Year at the BBC Radio 4 Food and Farming Awards.
The chef-patron of London restaurants such as Café Spice Namaste, Mr Todiwala's Kitchen at Hilton London Heathrow T5, the Park Café in Victoria Park and Assado in London Waterloo, was recognised for achievements in the industry as well as on the TV screen.
"Cyrus is as passionate about the catering industry as he is about curry. His approach to teaching and sharing his passion on and off the screen is undoubting … He epitomises what a celebrity chef should be," said the judges panel.
Public votes came in from viewers of BBC1's Saturday Kitchen, where Todiwala is a regular guest, as well as viewers of BBC 2 food series The Incredible Spicemen.
Todiwala, who has made his mark on the food industry in the capital and in his hometown of Mumbai, draws on his Parsee culinary heritage and from his travels. His latest venture, Assado, focuses on the fusion between East and West. The Goan-Portuguese restaurant serves tapas, curries and Goan-style pulled pork assado.
Other winners at the awards included Feeding The 5,000, a charity that focuses on reducing food waste, which was named Best Initiative in British Food. The Best Food Producer was named as Gigha Halibut, which specialises in sustainable Scottish Atlantic halibut.