A chef at a popular Sutton restaurant has landed two awards at a prestigious Asian restaurant awards this year.

The Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards (ARTA) celebrates the UK’s Pan Asian cuisine industry, bringing together Asian restaurants from across the UK.

Colombo Kitchen in Sutton was crowned a winner of two awards at the ceremony, with the chef winning National Chef of the Year and Surrey Chef of the Year awards for 2024.

Colombo Kitchen in Sutton was crowned winner of the National Chef of the Year and Surrey Chef of the Year awards for 2024.Colombo Kitchen in Sutton was crowned winner of the National Chef of the Year and Surrey Chef of the Year awards for 2024. (Image: Media House) This year, the winners across 46 categories were honoured in the 2024 awards ceremony, which took place on October 6 at the Royal Lancaster hotel in London, and was attended by celebrity stars Patsy Kensit and Leila Russack

The restaurant first opened its Surrey branch in 2019 and also has another location in Putney, and serves Sri Lankan dishes within a lively setting that features a live hopper and kottu bar.

The menu, created by Head Chef Sylvia Perera features some of her signature dishes like Lamprais – a Sri Lankan Dutch burger with an array of fillings – and vegetarian dishes like Coconut Lentil Curry.

The food is prepared using locally sourced ingredients and traditional Sri Lankan cooking methods, to create a broad menu showcasing classic and contemporary dishes from the country.

They also serve a range of cocktails with Sri Lankan touches like their Lychee Martini, Chilli and Ginger Mojito and even a Mango Machan.

The restaurant has also previously won Sri Lankan Restaurant of the Year at the ARTA Awards 2023, as well as receiving two stars in the Great Taste Awards 2024 and being named winner in the Good Food Awards 2024.

ARTA Founder Mohammed Munim said at the awards this year: “Congratulations to all the winners and finalists of ARTA 2024 – the Pan Asian restaurants, takeaways, and chefs who continue to stand as pillars of excellence in the UK's hospitality industry.

“As the original and premier awards ceremony dedicated to celebrating the best of the UK's Asian restaurant and takeaway sector, we honour your unwavering commitment and passion, which continue to bring unparalleled flavours and experiences to diners across the nation, even in the face of adversity.”