Leila Ghanadi, the owner of Leila’s Autentico Italiano, which has been nominated in three categories at the 2026 UK Italian Awards, says the nominations are a testament to the team’s hard work.
The venue will now find out on Monday,m March 30, at the award ceremony, held in Mayfair, London, if it has won any of the accolades.
The business owner found out via email that the restaurant has been nominated in the Best Café, Best Pizzeria and Best Restaurant categories and said it is a fantastic achievement for the whole team.
She said: “We are thrilled; the whole team put so much effort into the menu, service and drinks. I source the products, but it is a team effort. I write the menus and source the food, but my excellent staff execute the dishes for me. It is a fantastic achievement for the team.”
The restaurant has been nominated for the awards before and even came runner-up.
But Leila said this was before the Italian’s recent refurbishment and hopes it can now go one step further.
Leila’s Autentico Italiano in Middleton St George (Image: Stuart Boulton)
Leila said: “The judges assess the restaurant facilities as well as the food and service. As the building had previously been used for hair and beauty, we were limited by the available space and the lack of a toilet on the same floor as the restaurant, which impacted the judges’ decision.
“With our recent renovations now complete, and by continuing to maintain the high quality and standards of our food alongside excellent customer service, we are hopeful of progressing further in the competition this time around.”
Before becoming a restaurant, the building was home to a hair and beauty salon.
Leila worked as a skin specialist and used to teach on Harley Street in London.
She previously told The Northern Echo she never planned to turn it into a restaurant or café, but the idea came about because of Covid.
Leila says the Italian idea came from her love of Italy and her Italian friends.
Leila with her cocker spaniel, Daisy (Image: Stuart Boulton)
And the business owner has thanked everyone who has helped her turn the venue from a hair and beauty salon to a nationally nominated restaurant.
“Quite a lot of the time, when I am not busy, or it is a bit quiet, I think ‘How have we done this?’. But I have had help; I have not done it all on my own. I have had amazing staff who have supported me, I have an amazing family.
“I work a lot of hours, I spend a lot of my own time doing research, working on the business. I never stop, I never really have a day off, but it is because I am passionate.
“I love the business, and I want it to thrive, employ more people and serve the community. It is like a hobby, it does not even feel like work.”
She also paid tribute to one person in particular: “I would not have been able to do it without John McArdle. He is a family friend and business mentor, and he has helped me a lot.”
Finally, she also thanked her loyal customers for sticking by her, her staff and the business over the years.
Leila thanked her customers for their support over the years (Image: Stuart Boulton)
She said: “I just want to say the biggest thank you. I would not have been able to do any of this without the customers; they are part of the business. They have supported us through a terrible time, which was the pandemic.
“They support us even during quiet periods in the time of year. They are great, and we could not do it without them.”
To vote for Leila’s Autentico Italiano, visit: theitalianawards.com/vote-2026-uk-italian-awards.
Dining and Cooking