Two Barnet-based takeaways got burned as they missed out on the title of North London’s best takeaway.

New Barnet’s Pumpkin Rice Jerk Grill and Edgware’s Kabul City both made it to the final five in takeaway app JustEat’s fast food competition after two rounds of public voting.

Both eateries lost at the last hurdle as the British Takeaway Awards judges gave the gong to Aldgate’s multi-cuisine restaurant EatFirst at the awards ceremony at the Savoy in the Strand.

Traditional Jamaican grill Pumpkin Rice was also a 2015 finalist and the owners also do charity work in New Barnet supporting the shoebox appeal in Ghana and helping pay for a medical student to go on placement in Tanzania.

On being shortlisted, chef and co-owner Carlington Clarke said: “We are delighted to be a finalist for the British Takeaway Awards.

“We have a very loyal customer base and I cannot thank them enough for getting us to the final.”

READ MORE: Kabul City, Edgware, and Pumpkin Rice Jerk Grill, New Barnet, join top five takeaways in North London for Just Eat sponsored awards, judged by Ainsley Harriott

Kabul City, one of the first Afghan takeaways in London, was shortlisted for its “focus on the natural taste and flavour of its ingredients”.

But the online-only EatFirst pipped them to the post after 110,000 public votes and much deliberation from celebrity judges include Ready Steady Cook’s Ainsley Harriott.

UK managing director of JustEast Graham Corfield also sat on the judging panel.

He said: “We’ve been really impressed with the finalists in North London, they’ve put their heart and soul into this and the passion to win this award has been on a different level.

“EatFirst really resonates with its customers for its great food and excellent customer service.

“It was a tough choice but they are a worthy winner.”

EatFirst, alongside the other 13 regional UK winners, has received a £1,000 prize and free partnership with the JustEat service.

The awards ceremony welcomed 300 guests including takeaway owners from around the country and celebrities such as Greg Wallace, Donna Air, Denise van Outen and Rachel Stevens.