"I am truly honoured to receive this special accolade."

Sabbir Karim, chef patron of Namaste Group which includes neighbourhood Indian restaurants Namaaste Kitchen and Salaam Namaste, received the Special Recognition Award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Charity and Industry’ at the 12th Asian & Curry Awards this week.

Hosted at Park Lane’s Grosvenor House Hotel and sponsored by Just Eat, the event, organised by the ACF and representing the nation’s 30,000 restaurant and takeaways, are the only accolades acknowledging the full range of Asian cuisines, widely regarded as the sector’s most prestigious.

The award acknowledged Sabbir’s continued dedication to the catering industry and philanthropy; making it his mission over the past three decades to showcase his vision of Indian-Bangladeshi cuisine to the masses.

Commenting on winning the award, Sabbir said: "I am truly honoured to receive this special accolade."

Sabbir added: "Community that activates positive change is at the heart of everything I do, and I couldn’t be more passionate about showcasing Indian-Bangladeshi cuisine whilst supporting causes that are close to my heart."

An active member of the Labour Party, Sabbir played a key role during British Airways’ ‘Fire and Rehire’ controversy by acting as the bridge between United the Union and Leader of the Labour Party, resulting in outstanding support for his fellow colleagues.

Involved with a multitude of charities on an ongoing basis, Sabbir is a long-standing trustee of The Sreepur Village - an organisation set up by British Airways cabin crew 33 years ago, supporting destitute women and children in Bangladesh - as well as being one of the first British Bangladeshi to be distributing food and essentials during 2017’s Grenfell Tower tragedy.

He also set up the Sabbir Karim Foundation with the objective to eradicate poverty in his hometown village in Bangladesh by aiming for free primary medical care and and providing onetime intervention to allow a family to be fully self-sufficient.

Sabbir is no stranger to awards, having previously won the Asian & Curry Awards back in 2012 as well as being named a UNICHEF champion and holding the title of Best Innovative Chef 2013 at the Asian and Oriental Chef of the Year Awards 2013.