Sunderland restaurant turns up the heat with national recognition in International Asian Restaurant Awards
An Asian restaurant in Sunderland has received national recognition following a gala dinner in Manchester.
Yuvraaj, in Douro Terrace, Sunderland, won Asian Restaurant of the Year for the North East of England in the 10th International Asian Restaurant Awards on Monday, September 7.
Organised by the Asian Catering Federation, the awards recognise the industry’s culinary excellence, innovation, creativity and hard work.
Only 27 out of 160 restaurants, groups and takeaways who were nominated won an award.
The winners covered a range of Asian cuisines and were chosen by a panel of judges consisting of experienced catering professionals and experts from the catering industry and commerce.
Yuvraaj owner, Moni Hussain, said: “I am extremely proud and grateful that I could represent my home city in such a prestigious event amongst the biggest names in our industry.
"As a lad who was born and brought up in Sunderland, I couldn’t have been more proud, and to get the win for my city was an absolute privilege.
“I would just like to thank everyone who has walked through our doors and have supported us unconditionally for the past 11 and a half years we have been in business.”
The awards was hosted by broadcast journalist and BBC TV News anchor Samantha Simmonds, with a guest appearance from Anisa Khan, owner of Bombay Pizza and finalist in the BBC flagship programme The Apprentice 2025.
Moni said: “To all my fellow colleagues in hospitality – it’s been so tough since Covid.
"We have been squeezed so much to the point at times that it feels it’s not sustainable to keep going.
“I want to say to my fellow colleagues, just keeping going.
"Battle through this adversity we face now. Fingers crossed there will be light at the end of the tunnel.”
Chair of the Asian Catering Federation, Yawar Khan, said: “Each year, at the Asian Restaurant Awards International in Manchester, we celebrate excellence in international cuisine, and this year’s winners truly deserve their places as best in the country.
"These are the businesses that make the Asian food industry continue to thrive, despite the many challenges faced by this sector.”
Just earlier this month, Yuvraaj was recognised for excellence in the North East Curry Experience of the Year category at the Northern England Curry Awards 2026.