AN AWARD-WINNING Biggar Indian restaurant is up for another two top hospitality accolades.

The Taj Mahal in High Street has won numerous prizes for its service and quality over the years and now it has been put forward again in the Scottish Curry Awards and in the Scottish Entertainment and Hospitality Awards.

On top of the nominations, Maître d’ Abed Ullah has been shortlisted for the Manager of the Year 2017.

A delighted Abed told the Peeblesshire News: “We found out about two weeks ago and are delighted as this is the 10th year running our family business.

“It is all down to public nominations and we are grateful as this is the fifth year in a row we have made it to the finals of the Scottish Entertainment and Hospitality Awards.

“There are more than 600 Indian restaurants in Scotland and while we might not have the same numbers of competition of other towns we are very pleased that we have been put forward.”
Abed has been a finalist in the Maître d’ of the Year category at the Scottish Curry Awards for four consecutive years and won the prize in 2014 and 2016.

This year, the category has been discontinued, but he has now been shortlisted for the Manager of the Year Award to recognise his hospitality skills.

Abed added: “This will be the eighth year running we have made it to the finals for the Scottish Curry Awards and have managed to keep our 100 per cent record.

“We have been put forward for the best Indian Restaurant South West, and if we win that we could win the Best Indian Restaurant in Scotland 2017.

“Thank you to the public for your support. It is all down to the public votes. It is their support that gets us there and hopefully we can continue our success.”

The finals for the 10th Scottish Curry Awards will take place on Monday, April 24 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Glasgow.

The Scottish Entertainment and Hospitality Gala final will be held in Glasgow on Sunday, May 7 in Merchant Square.