A CHEF who learnt her trade at a Bridport restaurant has been been recognised with a national business award.

Sarah Ali-Choudhury, daughter of Rafique and Helen Choudhury from the Taj Mahal in Bridport, has been awarded the title of New Kid on the Block at the Small Awards ceremony in London.

The Small Awards launched this year and recognises the achievements of small businesses in the UK across 10 categories. The awards ceremony was presented by former Great British Bake Off host, Sue Perkins.

Sarah’s business, Easy Curry Ltd, received the award for New Kid on the Block, which recognises national business start-ups that are less than 18 months old.

Sarah said: “I am overjoyed and incredibly humbled to have won this award. It has been a very busy but exciting year for me and my business.

"I am a big fan of Sue Perkins and of course Bake Off, so receiving my award and a hug from her was just a dream come true.

“I have no plans to slow down and will be using this year’s British Beach Polo Championships on the stunning Sandbanks beach, to officially launch my event catering business.”

Easy Curry Ltd found fame last year when Sarah appeared on a hit Channel 4 cookery show. During her time on the show, Sarah cooked for two-time Michelin Star awarded restaurateur Michael Caines MBE, and one of Britain’s most acclaimed chefs and food writers, Prue Leith CBE.

Over the course of the year, Sarah has appeared at the Bridport Food Festival, where she did her very first cookery demonstration. Since then, she has demonstrated at some of the UK’s biggest food festivals, where she has showed people how to prepare quick Indian curries that are packed with flavour, spices and fresh ingredients. As well as appearing at Bristol’s Foodie Festival and Taste of the South, Sarah regularly makes appearances on That's Solent TV. She was also a finalist in the The Rising Star category at the Bournemouth Tourism Awards in March.

Sarah prepares authentic Asian dishes at business events and private dining experiences along the south coast. She will be demonstrating in the cookery theatre at the Bridport Food Festival on Saturday, June 17.

For more information, visit sarahalieasycurry.com