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Nasreen Crowned Curry Queen
Harlequin Leisure Group franchise owner Nasreen Aksi has been crowned Curry Queen of the Year at the inaugural Irn-Bru Scottish Curry Awards at a glittery ceremony at Glasgow's Thistle Hotel attended by such celebrities and public figures as Shereen Nanjiani, Carol Smillie, John Smeaton and the Lord and Lady Provost of Glasgow.
Ms Aksi's three restaurants are the Ashoka West End, Ashoka Ashton Lane and Spice of Life - all situated within Glasgow's West End.
Commenting on her latest award win, a delighted Nasreen, 'I'm absolutely thrilled to be recognised in this way! Although some friends and colleagues had jokingly called me Scotland's Curry Queen - now I can show them this award and prove that I really am!'
This latest accolade is the latest in a remarkable string of awards won by Ms Aksi over the course of the last year.
Last year Naz (pictured above with Balraj from The Spice of Life, Lesley Corr from Posera Europe and Naveen from Ashoka Ashton Lane) was crowned Businesswoman of the Year at the coveted Scottish Asian Business Awards. Also last year Ms Aksi attended a glittering award ceremony at the Grosvenor Park Lane in London to collect a trophy at the British Curry Awards 2007 for the Ashoka Ashton Lane - the only restaurant in Glasgow to be nominated for this prestigious award
Furthermore, Nas also won the Franchisee of the Year Award at Harlequin's own prize-giving ceremony held earlier this year. But rather than bask in the glory of all these accolades, Nas is determined to continue investing in her restaurants.
'You can't afford to rest on your laurel in the hospitality sector,' she said. 'That's why I've invested in new cutlery and crockery for the Ashoka West End and am introducing a new menu at the end of this month.
'I really want to go from strength to strength in the Ashoka West End � and who knows how many more awards we can win this year!'
Together with an expanding property portfolio, Nasreen's Aski Restaurants now has a turnover in excess of £2 million.