Key Points
- Recognition at National Level: Pizzaholic, a very well-known takeaway, situated in Heaton, which lies on the periphery of Newcastle upon Tyne, has managed to make it to the list of nominees for the coming 15th British Kebab Awards.
- North East Sole Nominee: Pizzaholic is the only nominee from the whole of the North East region for the tough Best Takeaway – North of England category in the forthcoming 15th British Kebab Awards.
- Celebrity Reputation: The takeaway has earned itself a celebrity reputation owing to the fact that it serves world famous musicians such as the American rapper 50 Cent and Canadian rock star Bryan Adams after their electrifying performances at the Newcastle Utilita Arena.
- Significant Industry Milestone: Started in the year 2013, the British Kebab Awards celebrate its 15th anniversary as one of the leading hospitality industry events where around 500 independents were chosen for the semi-finals in 22 different categories from thousands of nominations by the general public.
- Signature Menu & Voting: Not only the best known for serving traditional kebabs, Pizzaholic is famous for making huge 32-inch pizzas. Takeaway owner Ilhan Ozcan has officially asked for the local customers’ vote for their favourite takeaway.
Heaton (New Castle Time) September 14, 2026 — In a major milestone for the North East fast-food industry, a famed takeaway located on the outskirts of Newcastle upon Tyne has earned a place on the semi-final shortlist for the prestigious British Kebab Awards. As documented in a detailed report by Simon Duke, the What’s On Editor for ChronicleLive, Pizzaholic—a staple takeaway situated in the suburb of Heaton—has secured its position as the sole business representing the North East in this national competition. Having provided meals to iconic international musicians as well as thousands of loyal local customers over many years, the enterprise is now vying for top honours on the national hospitality stage.
The British Kebab Awards is currently preparing to celebrate its 15th annual event, having evolved significantly since its inaugural awards dinner was staged in 2013. According to industry figures released alongside the shortlist announcement, the awards scheme has established itself as one of the most prominent fixtures in the UK hospitality sector’s calendar. Approximately 500 independent restaurants and takeaway businesses from across the United Kingdom have successfully advanced to the semi-final stage across 22 diverse award categories. The broad selection process was driven by thousands of public nominations gathered from patrons right across the country, aiming to recognise the hard work of entrepreneurs, families, and workers behind one of the nation’s favourite takeaway foods.
Competing directly within the Best Takeaway – North of England category, Pizzaholic is one of just 12 shortlisted establishments battling for the ultimate trophy in the northern territory. To win the category title, the Newcastle takeaway must beat stiff competition from rival long-standing food outlets situated in regional hubs such as Chester, Bradford, and Leicester.
What makes Pizzaholic a famous landmark in Newcastle’s food scene?
Located on Chillingham Road in the residential district of Heaton, Pizzaholic operates in an area long celebrated by locals for its concentration of vibrant food and drink establishments. Over its years of operation, the establishment has grown into a genuine local culinary institution.
As reported by journalist Simon Duke of ChronicleLive, the takeaway has frequently been called upon to feed global music superstars following high-profile arena shows. International recording artists such as hip-hop legend 50 Cent and veteran Canadian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams have both ordered takeaway feasts from Pizzaholic after wrapping up major performances at the nearby Utilita Arena in central Newcastle.
While kebabs remain a cornerstone of its success, the takeaway has also earned widespread regional fame for its culinary size options. In particular, Pizzaholic is famous for serving massive 32-inch pizzas, making it a prominent favorite for late-night arena crowds, student gatherings, and local families alike.
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How does the British Kebab Awards evaluation and selection process work?
The British Kebab Awards was created to highlight the vast cultural diversity, culinary skill, and economic contribution of the UK’s kebab sector. The 22 categories spanning the 15th annual competition reflect the full breadth of the modern industry.
According to official competition details shared by ChronicleLive, the current roster of award categories covers diverse dining formats and culinary styles. These include:
- Regional Categories: Dedicated selections evaluating top establishments across the North of England, South of England, London, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
- Speciality & Dietary Cuisine: Specialized categories highlighting Turkish, Kurdish, Greek, Lebanese, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Kosher culinary traditions, alongside dedicated awards for Best Vegan Kebab.
- Operational Excellence: Honors targeting specific business models, such as Best Newcomer and Best Delivery operations.
Selection for the semi-finals relies heavily on public engagement, with thousands of votes cast during the initial nomination window. Following the semi-final shortlist, a panel of industry experts, food critics, and culinary judges evaluates the shortlisted vendors alongside ongoing public voting support.
How can the local community vote for Pizzaholic in the national awards?
With Pizzaholic being the solitary representative for the North East in the northern takeaway category, the establishment is leaning on its local customer base to help secure a win. Voting has officially opened to the general public across all 22 categories via the official British Kebab Awards web portal.
As highlighted by Simon Duke in ChronicleLive, takeaway owner Ilhan Ozcan took to social media to rally local backing. Writing on Pizzaholic’s official Facebook page, Ozcan urged residents from across Heaton and the wider Tyneside region to cast their votes online to ensure the regional champion takes home the top national trophy.
What is the economic context of the regional hospitality sector in the North East?
The national recognition of Pizzaholic comes at a pivotal period for the food and hospitality scene across the North East of England. As tracked in broader coverage by ChronicleLive, regional food businesses have experienced a dynamic mix of high-profile recognitions and economic realignments over recent years.
While local institutions like Pizzaholic celebrate national award nominations, the wider North East region continues to highlight both its culinary heritage and growing destination status. Recent regional highlights include major local events such as the Great North Run Restaurant Weekend in Newcastle, alongside expanding street-food culture and award nominations across regional city centres.
The shortlist achievement by Ilhan Ozcan and the team at Pizzaholic underlines the resilience of independent local businesses that manage to combine community service with high-profile national recognition. The public voting phase remains open as Pizzaholic prepares for the final awards ceremony.
