A TAUNTON-BASED chef has been named Chef of the Year at a prestigious award ceremony.
Chef Mathew George, at Turmeric Kitchen, located at 65 Station Road, has been named Chef of the Year at the British Curry Championship 2026.
This is in recognition of his culinary excellence, innovation, and leadership within the UK’s curry and hospitality industry.
Mr George brings more than 25 years of professional experience to the role and has spent the last five years with Turmeric Kitchen, earning praise for his 'creative approach to authentic Indian cuisine'.
Niranjan Kumar, general manager and Sajil Tom, a spokesperson for the restaurant, said: "This award is a proud moment for all of us at Turmeric Kitchen.
"Chef Mathew George is an exceptional professional whose dedication, creativity and passion inspire our entire team every day.
"His commitment to quality, innovation and customer satisfaction has helped establish Turmeric Kitchen as one of Somerset’s leading Indian restaurants.
"We are incredibly proud that his talent has now been recognised on a national stage."
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The award celebrates chefs who deliver consistently outstanding food and dining experiences.
In addition to his work in the kitchen, Mr George is known for curating seasonal menus and leading events such as the Kerala Food Festival, Onam Festival, Diwali Festival, and other regional Indian food celebrations.
Under his leadership, Turmeric Kitchen has earned sustained recognition, including five consecutive TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards and high ratings of 4.8 out of 5 on both TripAdvisor and Google Reviews.
The restaurant has also been named a winner and finalist in several leading hospitality awards, including the England Business Awards, Good Food Awards, and English Curry Awards.
Mr George has also helped the team in their work supporting the community through fundraising for St Margaret’s Hospice, NHS charities, and schools, as well as sponsoring local sports clubs.
Mr George said: "I am deeply honoured to receive this award.
"This achievement belongs to the entire Turmeric Kitchen team, whose hard work and dedication make it possible to deliver exceptional food every day.
"I would also like to thank our loyal customers for their continued support and encouragement."
The award is seen as an endorsement of Turmeric Kitchen’s dedication to authentic cuisine, innovation, hospitality, and its active role in the community.
