A professor and supper club founder from Hove has won a new food award.

Priya Deshingkar is a professor of migration and development at the University of Sussex.

She has been running Maharani Supper Club in Hove for nearly 10 years.

Priya took home the prize for South Asian Food of the Year at the Be Inclusive Hospitality Spotlight Awards.

TV presenter, author and pastry chef Ravneet Gill handed Priya the award at the ceremony in London on October 24.

Priya’s monthly Maharani Supper Club is inspired by the Mughal and Awadhi royal kitchens. She hopes to showcase regional Indian cuisine through supper clubs, cookery classes and recipes.

“Since winning this prestigious award I have experienced a mixture of emotions – gratitude, surprise, excitement and feeling humbled,” said Priya.

The BIH Spotlight Awards is the first ever UK awards ceremony to celebrate diverse talent in the hospitality industry. 

Over 400 public nominations were received for businesses and individuals of exceptional talent and achievement from Black, Asian, and ethnic minority backgrounds working within the UK hospitality industry.

The BIH Spotlight Awards judging panel was co-chaired by TV presenter and celebrity chef Andi Oliver.

Andi said: “The nominees have been amazing and inspiring - it's so wonderful to get an insight into how the cross cultural creative culinary minds are ticking across the country.

"I am hopeful for the future of our industry and the potential for true growth and inclusion. Congratulations to everyone!” 

Priya said the award would allow her to ensure chefs of colour received the same respect as their white counterparts.

She added: “The award will allow me to continue my work on bringing a decolonised understanding of Indian food through my supper clubs, popups, writing and public speaking.

“I also want to bring home cooks onto the culinary map and recognised for their expertise alongside formally trained chefs.”

Lorraine Copes, founder of Be Inclusive Hospitality, said she was “overwhelmed with joy” at the success of the first awards ceremony.  

She said: "When launching these awards, my mission was to shine a much-needed spotlight for our community and to celebrate the individual brilliance, dedication and passion that exists in our industry.”