The founder of Raj Kitchen in Swansea has taken home the top prize at the UK's most celebrated Pan Asian cuisine awards.
Raj Chowdhury, the founder and head chef of Raj Kitchen, has been crowned Wales Chef of the Year at the Asian Restaurant & Takeaway Awards (ARTAs).
This win marks a milestone in his culinary journey, and was his first time attending the ARTAs, which were recently held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.
Since opening Raj Kitchen in December 2023 with his wife Enakshi, Raj Chowdhury has carved out a name for himself and his restaurant, which overlooks the historic Swansea Castle.
Raj said:
“I’ve never been to an event like the ARTAs before, so to be honest, I felt a bit out of my depth walking into such a prestigious room full of established names. I’m so incredibly humbled and proud to have won this award on my first go. It’s not something I expected, but it’s a testament to the hard work of my amazing team and the support of the Swansea community.”
Raj credits his mother's influence as a driving force behind his menu, saying: “My mother taught me that good food doesn’t need to be complicated. It’s about bringing out the flavours of simple ingredients and letting them shine. I think that’s what people appreciate most about the food at Raj Kitchen – it’s not overly elaborate, but it’s full of love and care.”
Raj Chowdhury has set his sights on securing an AA Rosette.
“Winning Wales Chef of the Year is a huge honour, but I’m already thinking about what’s next,” he said. “My goal is to push the boundaries of what we offer at Raj Kitchen, and that means going for the AA Rosette. We’re also working on a new dessert and cocktail menu to bring something different to the table – I want to continue surprising our guests with new flavours and experiences.”
