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Vijay Bhagotra, who ran the Court Colman Manor hotel in Penyfai,
Bridgend, died last recently, aged 65.
The night before his death he was at an awards ceremony in London
where his Bokhara Brasserie won the Best in Wales British Curry Award
for the second year running.
Enam Ali, the awards' founder, said: "He was wonderful and so
respected."
The event is considered the biggest in the curry calendar and for the
past five years has honoured the best Indian restaurant in each of
the UK's regions.
At the ceremony in London's Battersea Park, which was attended by
Conservative party leader David Cameron, Mr Bhagotra received his
award from TV presenter Sir Trevor McDonald.
Mr Ali said he was "so sad" that Mr Bhagotra had died.
"He had been so happy to win the award as it's a big
achievement, especially for the second year in a row. Our awards are
tough - he was really proud to win and called his award an
Oscar," he said.
"He was a wonderful man and was very well respected in the
industry. We have lost one of our greatest caterers and restaurateurs.
Vijay Bhagotra at the British Curry Awards in 2008 with chef Heston Blumenthal
"It was a shock when I heard [of his death]. The night before he
had spoken to David Cameron and invited him to Bridgend. He was a
curry king - a champion."
Mr Bhagotra, who lived in Penarth, was credited with turning around
the fortunes of the Court Colman Manor and its restaurant Bokhara
Brasserie, winning numerous awards after he bought it in 1999.
He was from Jammu, India, and came to the UK in 1970, working in
Harrogate, Sheffield and Manchester before settling in Cardiff with
Crest Hotels.
Mr Bhagotra, who was married with two children, later set up his own
specialist cafe in the Welsh capital before taking over the Court
Colman Manor.
Elinor Roberts, 21, said the businessman's dedication to his staff
helped her work her way up from glass washer at the Court Colman to
the hotel's assistant manager.
"It's such a huge loss and we're so sad," she said.
"Vijay taught me what I know now - and it's the same for a lot
of people here. He made sure we were all properly trained and sent us
on courses.
"He ran this place like a family. He was extremely hands-on and
was passionate about the business. The family say they will carry on
the hotel and we all just have to carry on because it's what he would
have wanted."
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