The family behind an award-winning takeaway showed their competitive spirit to help their daughter win a top-five place in a national beauty pageant. 

Sarina Uppal, 12, whose parents run Tandoori Lounge in High Street, Hornchurch, took part at Miss Teen Greater Britain event in Blackpool on October 15 after initially being contacted on social media around two years ago. 

Honey Uppal, Sarina’s mother, said that at the outset they “didn’t know what pageants are about”. 

But the family soon got up to speed with the range of charity and community work expected – and Sarina began working with Romford Soup Kitchen and Romford Food Bank as well as handing out food to the homeless through the restaurant.

While pageants are traditionally seen as “beauty contests”, Honey said Sarina’s involvement opened their eyes to the other qualities needed. 

“It’s not just a fashion show, it’s not just looking pretty,” she said. 

“Things like what you do in the community are looked at, what you get involved in, what extracurricular [activities] you do.” 

Romford Recorder: Sarina and her family only became aware of Miss Teen GB when they contacted her over social media about two years agoSarina and her family only became aware of Miss Teen GB when they contacted her over social media about two years ago (Image: Honey Uppal)

Aware that many of the girls taking part will have been preparing from a young age, Honey said Sarina's approach was to "be yourself and try your best".

In the event itself, contestants had to demonstrate a range of skills in group activities, interviews, as well as fashion and evening wear. 

Sarina eventually took a top-five place in the 10 to 12 age group. Honey said: “She was absolutely over the moon for her because it’s a new challenge. She likes a bit of a challenge.” 

Honey added that, as an Indian family, Sarina’s success challenged perceptions of the kind of person who normally does well in pageants. 

She hopes it will spread the message to other young girls in Indian families that “you can do what other people do”. 

With one successful pageant now behind her, Honey said the experience has only increased her daughter’s ambition. 

She said: “She’s 100 per cent keen to try again and win.”