The Guard House Thai Restaurant in Royston has been named runner-up for best takeaway in the south east at the Just Eat Awards.

Owners and business partners Safwaan Choudhury and Rung Kuajaroon attended a star-studded awards ceremony at the Londoner Hotel in Leicester Square.

They joined the likes of Fred Sirieix - host of Channel 4's First Dates - fashion consultant and chef Gok Wan, Love Island stars Tasha Ghouri and Andrew Le Page, and many more.

The Guard House, which is based in Kneesworth Street, narrowly missed out on the award to Essex-based dessert chain Cookies & Cones.

Safwaan, who was born and raised in Royston, said: "It’s a wonderful achievement to be shortlisted in recognition of our takeaway and delivery service, which is how we started our restaurant back in lockdown, but to be named runners-up for the region is an even greater honour!

"I am sure my team will go from strength to strength and continue to serve the very best royal Thai cuisine in Hertfordshire."

The seventh annual Just Eat Awards, previously known as the British Takeaway Awards, have 12 regional categories, recognising the best takeaways of all cuisine types.

Of the nominees, The Guard House was the only takeaway serving Thai cuisine to be shortlisted.

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Co-owner Rung said: "We had a fantastic night at the Just Eat Restaurant Awards, though we didn’t win, it was a pleasure to meet the faces behind the nation’s best takeaways as well as lots of celebrities."

She also shared some of the secrets behind the restaurants success, explaining: "We have a handful of trusted suppliers that import fresh Thai herbs, vegetables and other ingredients to ensure the best authentic flavours; true to Thailand. 

"When I moved to the UK many years ago, Thai food was relatively unheard of, so I am proud that The Guard House is playing its part in propelling my country's cuisine as a new favourite."

In its first year the restaurant won 'Highly Commended Thai Restaurant of the Year' at the Asian Curry Awards 2021, and was also shortlisted among the nation's top 10 Thai restaurants in 2022.