Worthing has the best Thai restaurant in UK – and its 18-year-old chef wins Chef of the Year at the Asian Curry Awards 2022

Spice I Am in Goring beat a record number of nominees to the title Thai Restaurant of The Year and will now be included in the new One Hundred Top Curry Restaurants guide, available in printed format next year.Issa Sushi, in South Street, Worthing, also won an award, Japanese Restaurant of the Year.

Both restaurants are co-owned by Sahil Ahmad, executive chef at Spice I Am, who was named Chef of the Year 2022.

Yawar Khan, chairman of the Asian Catering Federation (ACF), said: “I warmly congratulate all of this year’s winners. These awards come at a difficult time for many in the Asian restaurant industry but through their participation, many establishments will see a significant boost to their bottom line.

"I would also to particularly thank to UK public for their overwhelming support. Tens of thousands of people voted for their favourite restaurants this year. We are all grateful for this high level of interest and engagement, which underlines the importance of the Asian restaurant industry and its social, economic and cultural impact across the UK.”

Sahil was raised in Worthing and his passion for food grew as he watched his father Minhaz Nasir, founder of The Lemon Grass Group, prepare authentic Thai dishes, chopping, preparing, crafting and cooking using his own herbs and spices. He has been cooking since he was seven and sees food preparation as a work of art, to be adored on a plate and the palate, too.

Sahil said: "It was one of the most incredible nights for our industry. Achieving this at the young age of 18 is truly a remarkable achievement. We are truly humbled and honoured because there were some very tough and excellent finalists."