Britain’s best kebab businesses announced as semi-finalists for the 15th British Kebab Awards

LONDON, 8 September 2026 — The British Kebab Awards has tonight announced the semi-finalists for its landmark 15th anniversary awards at a prestigious parliamentary reception hosted by the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, at Speaker’s House.

Around 500 independent restaurants and takeaways from across the United Kingdom have reached the semi-finals across 22 award categories, shining a national spotlight on the entrepreneurs, families and employees behind one of Britain’s best-loved dishes.

The semi-finalists were selected from thousands of public nominations received from across the country. They represent the full breadth and diversity of the industry, from leading regional restaurants and takeaways to businesses competing in categories including Best Newcomer, Best Delivery, Best Vegan Kebab and awards celebrating Turkish, Kurdish, Greek, Lebanese, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Kosher cuisine.

The announcement at Speaker’s House marks the beginning of the next stage of the competition. Every semi-finalist will now have until 15 October 2026 to campaign for public support and encourage their customers, local communities and other supporters to vote for them.

Businesses receiving the highest number of eligible public votes in their respective categories will progress to the final. The finalists will be formally announced on 15 October 2026.

Semi-finalists are being encouraged to promote their achievement locally, engage with customers through social media, contact local newspapers and food writers, and seek support from their local Members of Parliament, councillors and community leaders.

Now in its 15th year, the British Kebab Awards has grown from its first celebratory dinner in 2013 into one of the most established events in the Westminster and hospitality calendars.

The awards have attracted cross-party support from successive Prime Ministers, party leaders, government ministers and MPs, who have attended, spoken at and championed both the awards and the industry they represent.

That political support has been matched by the business community. Over the past 15 years, the awards have been supported by some of the country’s best-known food and drink brands, including long-standing headline partner Just Eat, alongside Cobra Beer, Coca-Cola, McCain and Unilever, among hundreds of other organisations whose partnerships have helped establish the awards as a major national platform. Cobra Beer returns as a partner for the 2027 awards.

The sector celebrated by the awards makes a significant contribution to the national economy. Industry estimates suggest that the UK kebab industry:

• contributes approximately £2.8 billion to the economy each year;
• supports around 200,000 jobs;
• includes more than 25,000 businesses across the country; and
• serves approximately 1.3 million kebabs every day, making the kebab one of Britain’s most popular takeaway choices.

Ibrahim Doğuş, Founder of the British Kebab Awards, said:

“For 15 years, the British Kebab Awards have celebrated the hard-working families, entrepreneurs and employees behind one of Britain’s favourite dishes. These are people who have built successful businesses, created jobs and become an important part of the communities they serve.

“Being named a semi-finalist is a significant achievement. Each business now has until 15 October to tell its story, engage with its customers and community, and secure as many public votes as possible.

“This milestone year is our biggest and most ambitious yet. It is fitting that we are announcing our semi-finalists at Speaker’s House, at a prestigious parliamentary reception hosted by the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle.

“I congratulate every semi-finalist and wish them the very best with their campaigns. We look forward to revealing the finalists on 15 October and celebrating the achievements of this remarkable industry at our gala ceremony in February.”

The winners will be announced at the 15th British Kebab Awards gala ceremony on Tuesday 23 February 2027 at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London.

Approximately 1,200 guests from across the hospitality industry, politics, business and the national media are expected to attend. The evening will begin with a drinks reception at 5.00pm, followed by dinner and the awards ceremony at 7.00pm.

The public can now view the semi-finalists and vote for their favourite businesses.

Tickets, tables, magazine advertising, sponsorship and partnership opportunities for the awards ceremony are also available through the website.

ENDS

Notes to editors

About the British Kebab Awards: Founded in 2013 by restaurateur Ibrahim Doğuş, the British Kebab Awards celebrate and champion the restaurants, takeaways, business owners and employees behind one of Britain’s most popular dishes. The awards are organised through CEFTUS.

Semi-finalist campaign: Semi-finalists have until 15 October 2026 to secure public support and votes. The businesses receiving the highest number of eligible votes in their respective categories will progress to the final. Finalists will be announced on 15 October 2026.

Industry figures: The economic, employment, business and consumption figures quoted in this release are widely cited industry estimates and should be attributed as such.

Awards ceremony:
15th British Kebab Awards
Tuesday 23 February 2027
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London
Drinks reception: 5.00pm
Dinner and awards ceremony: 7.00pm

Media enquiries:
Araf Bin Tarek
Head of Operations, British Kebab Awards
Telephone: +44 7585 674599
Email: [email protected]