"This is just the beginning": Popular kebab shop named the best takeaway in Hampshire

Dilan Kebab, in Havant, has been crowned the best Turkish takeaway in the region at the Turkish Restaurants & Takeaway Awards in London on November 3.

The kebab shop opened its doors 15 years ago and has gone from strength to strength.

Azad Mendil, manager, said: “It is nice because we started with nothing when we first opened the shop, we were struggling to pay the bills but now we are coming up to 15 years so being recognised and winning the award feels really good.

“It feels amazing but this is just the beginning, we are not stopping there, we’ve got plenty more to come.”

The 21-year-old attended the awards ceremony with his two brothers who have ‘stood by him’ throughout his journey of taking over the business as manager a few years ago.

Azad added: “I felt a lot of pressue on the night but it was really good because we didn’t know we’d won but we went in with high hopes that we would.

“Plans for the future - I want to focus on this because this is where it all started but hopefully I’ll expand the business and make it into a franchise.”

The shop dishes up kebabs, wraps, burgers, pizzas, fried chicken and more, and it is open seven days a week from 2pm.

A TURTA Awards spokesperson said: “Portsmouth’s Turkish restaurants are serving some of the best food in Britain.

“These awards show how local family-run businesses are shaping the nation’s food culture.”

For more information about Dilan Kebab, click here.