LONDON – Kemal Coşkunçay, the world-renowned chef of Liverpool-based Casa Lima Restaurant and an international jury member, has been named “Chef of the Year” at the 14th British Kebab Awards in the United Kingdom.
The award ceremony was held on the evening of 24 February 2026 at Park Plaza in London. Coşkunçay received his award together with his team at the event, which honours successful businesses and managers operating in the UK kebab sector.
Speaking at the ceremony, UK Deputy Prime Minister and former Foreign Secretary David Lammy congratulated Coşkunçay, highlighting that his achievements in gastronomy contribute significantly to the United Kingdom’s cultural diversity and entrepreneurial spirit.
In his remarks following the award, Coşkunçay said: “It is an incredibly proud moment. This is the third time I have received this award. I would like to thank my team, Casa Lima Restaurant Liverpool, my family, friends, our valued guests and my team in India. The British Kebab Awards has gained tremendous momentum. It is an organisation widely recognised and respected across Britain and Europe. We are proud to be here.”
According to assessments shared at the event, the UK kebab sector has reached an annual economic value of £2.8 billion and continues to grow steadily.
Coşkunçay’s third “Chef of the Year” title once again underlines the strong position of Turkish gastronomy in the United Kingdom.
