Winner Newcomer of the Year at the Surrey Life Food and Drink Awards 2015

PUBLISHED: 00:30 11 September 2015 | UPDATED: 16:16 15 September 2015

Art of Curry: Peter Lee, Julian Thompson, Sameena Thompson, Adam King

Pete Gardner Photography

Surrey Life Food and Drink Awards 2015

Sponsored by Wood and Wisdom


Winner: The Art of Curry

“Sameena produces traditional, homemade curry sauces from her tiny kitchen at home,” said judge Peter Lee. “She was made redundant last year and just thought she’d give it a go. You cannot buy freshly made, authentic curry sauces in the supermarket (or anywhere) so there is a big gap in the market. Based on what she learned from her mother, Sameena created, perfected and produced this range of curry sauces, then packaged, marketed and sold them starting at trade fairs and a stall in Godalming market in the high street. She launched her product in March 2015 and it’s taken off. She can’t make them fast enough! I have tasted her wares and they are delicious. Sameena now sells out of Farmers’ Markets, Delis (including one in Yorkshire), Farm Shops, Village Shops and online (to customers in Jersey, Sweden and Australia) and she is being courted by the supermarkets. Sameena also runs a dining club (and pop up restaurant in her garden) and curry classes as well.”

Highly commended: Passionate about Fish

Highly commended: The Restaurant at Tante Marie

Find out more about the finalists.