Thame’s kebabs are STILL the best in Britain !

THAME’S kebab van has retained its crown as the Best Kebab Van in Britain, as voted for by the public, receiving the trophy at last night’s glittering British Kebabs Awards evening at the Plaza Westminster, in London.

Cllr Anne Midwinter is wearing the blue top, to the left of the Mayor Tom Wyse. The picture includes: Mrs Linda Ataly (2nd left with their two daughters), Resul Atalay- light suit with his two boys, Jason and Josh. Resul’s sister is far right.

Resul Atalay and his twin sons, Jason and Josh, held on to the Best Kebab Van title they won last year, 2018 being only the second year the Best Kebab Van award has been running in the eight years of the British Kebab Awards. Resul is famous for making his own doner from scratch with fresh, English lamb and chicken, and his homemade sauces, his chilli sauce containing no less than 30 ingredients!

The awards ceremony was the culmination of a very busy week for Resul and the boys, who were seen by millions of viewers on the Saturday Kitchen Live, TV show on Saturday morning, March 10, interviewed on BBC Radio Oxford  (Listen Again HERE)and cooking for Chris Evans this morning (Tuesday) on his morning radio show on BBC Radio 2. You can listen to Atalay’s mention HERE  (scroll along to 2:03.53 – keep listening through the music!)

The Mayor of Thame, Tom Wyse, speaking after the event, said: “A great event at the British Kebab Awards 2018; Five Star Thame winners – another great, successful year for the Atalay Kebab Van; a successful beacon in Thame High Street on a dark night!”

Resul Atalay himself organised a coach to take his family and friends – and this lucky editor – to the Awards nights, laying on food and drink to get the party going before we even arrived! And what a night it was! Music, dancing girls, MPs representing all parties, National Press coverage, a three course meal – including of course kebab meat, free beer from the event sponsors, Cobra and Bira and a real ‘Oscars’ type atmosphere. The two Atalay tables, included Cllr Ann Midwinter, who, with the late Cllr Jane Morbey fought so hard to help Resul get his licence for his kebab van way back in the late 1980s, against some very strong opposition from some in the town. Both tables errupted when the announcement was made that Atalay’s Kebab Van had been voted The Best Kebab Van in Britain again. (Watch the video HERE . Apologies for the poor sound quality)

As Chris Evans said this morning: “Thame, you are so lucky! With their 35 tonne articulated truck, this is more like a roadshow than a kebab van!”

The Mayor of Croydon (left) meets Resul Ataly and Tom Wyse, the Mayor of Thame

Thame’s Mayor, Tom Wyse was also a special guest, and proved a ‘Mayor Magnet’ wearing his splendid chain of office, with Mayors from London and all over the country coming up and introducing themselves to him. Another very special guest was Resul’s sister who is over from his native Turkey for a visit. She proudly took her place with the family and friends on the stage with Resul and his boys, to receive their trophy.

Whilst Resul obviously enjoyed and appreciated all the media coverage his success has brought him – and the thousands of extra facebook followers, and new customers – he did admit that he’s found the experience exhausting and would probably not enter the competition next year. I have a feeling his many fans might have something different to say when it comes to the nomination next year!