Casa Rosa has been named Takeaway of the Year at the North East 2026 Local Awards, recognising an award-winning independent takeaway in Birtley that has redefined what a takeaway can be through restaurant-quality food, strong community values, sustainability and a people-first approach. Founded in 2011 by Ilona Mielcarek, Casa Rosa has grown from a small independent business into one of the North East’s most respected takeaways. With the support of General Manager Krzysztof Raburski, who joined the business during the COVID-19 pandemic, Casa Rosa has continued to develop its award-winning reputation while investing in its team, customers and local community. For the Casa Rosa team, this award is a proud and meaningful achievement. It reflects years of dedication, teamwork and consistency, as well as the loyalty of customers who have supported the business from its early days and continue to see Casa Rosa as much more than a place to order food.

An Independent Takeaway With Restaurant-Quality Standards

Casa Rosa is an independent takeaway in Birtley serving restaurant-quality food with a strong focus on community, sustainability and employee wellbeing. The business has built its reputation by proving that a takeaway can offer more than convenience. It can deliver exceptional food, thoughtful service and a genuine sense of connection with the people it serves. From the beginning, Casa Rosa has worked to challenge expectations of what a takeaway experience should feel like. Customers are not treated as order numbers. They are welcomed as part of a wider community built on trust, familiarity and care. This approach has helped the business earn strong customer loyalty and become a trusted name in Birtley and beyond. The food remains at the heart of the business, but the Casa Rosa experience goes further than the menu. It is shaped by the people preparing the food, the customers who return again and again, the community groups the business supports and the values that guide every decision. Winning Takeaway of the Year recognises all of that: the quality, the culture and the lasting impact Casa Rosa has made.

Founded With a Vision to Transform Takeaway Food

Casa Rosa was founded in 2011 by Ilona Mielcarek, whose vision was to transform the traditional takeaway experience by combining high-quality food with strong community values and a people-first way of working. Her ambition was not simply to open another takeaway. It was to create a business that could serve excellent food while also supporting staff, customers and the wider community. Through Ilona’s dedication and innovation, Casa Rosa gained national recognition, including multiple British Takeaway Awards. These achievements helped show that independent takeaways can stand alongside the best in the industry when they are driven by quality, care and originality. During the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Krzysztof Raburski joined the business as General Manager, bringing additional leadership and operational expertise at a time when resilience mattered more than ever. Since then, Ilona and Krzysztof have worked together to continue developing Casa Rosa, building on its award-winning reputation while keeping its original values firmly in place.

More Than Just a Takeaway

What makes Casa Rosa different is that it is not just a takeaway. It is a people-focused business built around quality, innovation and community. While many businesses focus mainly on sales, Casa Rosa believes long-term success comes from investing in staff, supporting local causes and creating memorable experiences for customers. That approach can be seen in every part of the business. Casa Rosa offers restaurant-quality food, inclusive menu options, sustainability initiatives and strong customer service. The menu caters to a wide range of dietary requirements, including extensive vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, ensuring that more people can enjoy the Casa Rosa experience without feeling left out. The business was also among the first takeaways in the region to introduce biodegradable packaging, showing its commitment to sustainability and responsible choices. Casa Rosa continues to develop its menu to meet changing customer tastes and needs, but it does so without losing sight of the values that have made it successful: quality, care, inclusivity and respect for the community around it.

A Family-First Culture Behind the Counter

What truly sets Casa Rosa apart is the culture created by founder Ilona Mielcarek and continued alongside General Manager Krzysztof Raburski. Together, they have developed a workplace that feels more like a family than a business, where every team member is valued, respected and encouraged to grow. This matters because a strong customer experience starts with the people behind the scenes. A team that feels supported is more likely to take pride in its work, stay consistent under pressure and create a welcoming atmosphere for customers. Casa Rosa is proud of its diverse team, made up of people from different backgrounds, cultures, ages and experiences who work together in an inclusive and supportive environment. That family-first approach extends beyond staff to customers and the wider community. Casa Rosa treats the people it serves as part of the same extended family. By putting people before profit and creating a culture of care, respect and opportunity, the business has earned multiple industry awards and established itself as one of the North East’s leading independent takeaways.

Building a Lasting Bond With Birtley

While Casa Rosa is proud of the awards and recognition it has received over the years, its biggest achievement has been building a genuine and lasting bond with the local community. Since opening in 2011, the business has grown from a small independent takeaway into a trusted part of Birtley life. Over the years, Casa Rosa has worked closely with local schools, charities, sports teams, community groups and businesses. It has supported fundraising events, local causes and community initiatives, helping to strengthen the area around it. This commitment became especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the business launched a number of community projects to support local people. These included free DIY Pizza Kits for children, meals for key workers, support for vulnerable families and fundraising initiatives that made a real difference. For Casa Rosa, the greatest reward has been earning the trust and support of customers and the community. Many customers have been with the business for years, watching it grow and becoming part of the Casa Rosa family.

Navigating COVID With Teamwork and Responsibility

Like many businesses, Casa Rosa has faced significant challenges throughout its journey, with the COVID-19 pandemic among the biggest. Although the business was able to remain open as a takeaway, it faced staff shortages due to self-isolation, supply chain disruption, rapidly changing regulations and unprecedented customer demand. The pressure on both the business and the team was immense. Casa Rosa overcame these challenges through flexibility, teamwork and a strong sense of responsibility to staff and the community. Operations were adapted quickly, new safety procedures were introduced, additional team members were recruited, opening hours were adjusted and technology was used to improve communication and scheduling. Most importantly, Casa Rosa prioritised the wellbeing of employees during an uncertain and demanding time. Staff needed to feel supported, protected and valued while continuing to serve customers. The way the business handled this period made it stronger, more resilient and even more committed to the values that had guided it from the beginning.

Challenging the Traditional View of Takeaways

Another ongoing challenge for Casa Rosa has been challenging the traditional perception of the takeaway industry. Since founding the business in 2011, Ilona Mielcarek has worked to prove that a takeaway can be about much more than serving food quickly. Casa Rosa has shown that a takeaway can invest in staff development, pay fair wages, offer secure employment, support local causes and maintain high standards in food quality and customer service. This approach has helped demonstrate that the industry can be a positive force within the community. The business has overcome challenges through its people. The dedication of the team, the loyalty of customers and the support of the local community have enabled Casa Rosa not only to survive difficult periods but to continue growing and improving. The result is a takeaway that stands for quality, responsibility and care in an industry where those values deserve to be recognised.

Everyday Moments That Make the Team Proud

Casa Rosa has experienced many standout moments, from winning industry awards to reaching important business milestones. But for the team, pride is not limited to trophies or public recognition. Every day brings something to be proud of. It might be seeing a team member grow in confidence and develop their career. It might be receiving positive feedback from a long-standing customer. It might be supporting a local charity, helping with a community project or simply watching the team work together like a family during a busy shift. These everyday moments remind Casa Rosa why it does what it does. The business is built on food, but it is powered by people. Every order, every conversation, every act of support and every improvement behind the scenes contributes to the wider story. Winning Takeaway of the Year celebrates that daily dedication as much as any single achievement.

Supporting Local Charities, Schools and Community Groups

Supporting the local community has always been at the heart of Casa Rosa. The business believes success should be shared, which is why it actively invests time, resources and energy into helping local people, organisations and causes. Over the years, Casa Rosa has built strong partnerships with local schools, charities, sports clubs, community groups and businesses. The team regularly donates raffle prizes, food vouchers, meals and supplies to support fundraising events and community initiatives. These contributions may take different forms, but they all come from the same belief: local businesses should help the communities that support them. Casa Rosa has worked closely with organisations including Birtley Community Hub, Lord Lawson Academy, FoodCycle, Gateshead Food Bank, North East Homeless, local football clubs and many other charities and voluntary groups. This ongoing support shows how deeply the business values its role in the area.

Proud to Call Birtley Home

Being part of the Birtley community is incredibly important to Casa Rosa because the community has played such a huge role in the business’s journey and success. From the earliest days, the people of Birtley have supported the takeaway, believed in it and helped it grow into the award-winning business it is today. Over the years, Casa Rosa has built strong relationships with local residents, schools, charities, sports clubs, community groups and fellow businesses. That support has created a genuine sense of belonging and responsibility. The team knows that when challenges arise, it can count on the Birtley community, just as local people know they can count on Casa Rosa. For the business, being local means more than serving food. It means being part of the fabric of Birtley. The trust, loyalty and friendships built over the years inspire the team every day to give back and make a positive difference. Casa Rosa believes its success is shared with the community around it, and the team is proud to call Birtley home.

Pass the Meal and the Power of Kindness

One customer story that has stayed with Casa Rosa came through its Pass the Meal initiative, where customers can contribute towards a meal for someone in need when placing an order. Over the years, the business has met people whose lives have been turned upside down by unexpected changes in circumstances. One story that particularly affected the team involved hearing about a local individual who had lost their home and suddenly found themselves struggling to afford even the basics, including a hot meal. It was a powerful reminder that hardship can happen to anyone, often when they least expect it. That experience made Casa Rosa reflect on what more it could do as a business. As a result, the team strengthened the Pass the Meal scheme, working alongside local community organisations to help provide meals and food vouchers to people experiencing hardship and homelessness. What stands out most is the kindness of customers who choose to help people they may never meet. That generosity shows Casa Rosa is about more than food. It is about people looking after one another.

A Shock, a Celebration and a Shared Win

Winning an award is always an incredibly special moment for Casa Rosa, and even after receiving recognition in previous years, the feeling never gets old. When the team found out Casa Rosa had won another award in 2026, the reaction was a mixture of shock, excitement and immense pride. The first thought was not about the trophy itself, but about the people behind it. The team thought about the staff who work tirelessly every day to deliver great food and service, the loyal customers who continue to support the business year after year and the Birtley community that has been part of the journey from the beginning. The celebration was shared by everyone. Just as with previous successes, the award felt like it belonged to the entire Casa Rosa family. It was a proud moment for Ilona, Krzysztof, the team and every supporter who has played a part. Most importantly, it gave the business even more motivation to keep improving, innovating and making a positive impact.

What Winning Takeaway of the Year Means

Winning Takeaway of the Year means a huge amount to the Casa Rosa team. It recognises the effort, dedication and consistency that every single person puts in day after day. From the kitchen to service, every member of the team plays an important role. There are long hours, busy shifts and constant pressure to deliver, but the team continues to show up and get it right. This award reflects the standards Casa Rosa has worked hard to build together. For the business, the win is not about one individual. It is about teamwork, trust and pride in what the team does. More than anything, it shows what can be achieved when everyone pulls in the same direction. Casa Rosa is proud of what has been built and motivated to keep pushing even further.

A Family-Like Relationship With Customers

At Casa Rosa in Birtley, this recognition reflects the close, family-like relationship the business has built with customers over time. The team has never seen it as just a transaction. It feels more like a local community where staff know many customers by name and customers know them too. That regular connection creates a real sense of trust and familiarity. Customers have supported Casa Rosa from the start, through busy nights, new ideas and everything in between. Their loyalty has played a huge part in this achievement, and the business always tries to make sure they feel welcomed, valued and part of what is being built. This award feels like a reflection of that shared relationship. It is a community effort built on respect, consistency and a genuine family atmosphere between the team and customers. Casa Rosa’s success has been shaped by the people who order, return, recommend and support the business year after year.

Looking Ahead With Steady Growth and Fresh Ideas

Casa Rosa is focused on building on what it has achieved so far and continuing to move forward in a positive way for customers and the community. One of the main goals is to keep improving what the business already does well: quality, consistency and service. The team is also thinking about exciting new additions to the menu over time. Casa Rosa is always considering fresh ideas that fit with what customers enjoy and expect. The aim is not to change for the sake of it, but to continue evolving while staying true to the food, values and experience people already love. The business also wants to keep strengthening the community feel it has built. Casa Rosa should continue to feel welcoming and familiar, where customers feel like part of a family rather than simply placing an order. The future is about steady growth, listening to customers and continuing to improve while staying true to what the business stands for.

Thanking the Team and the Community

Casa Rosa would like to thank its team first and foremost. Without the team, the business would not achieve even half of the success it has today. Every single person plays a vital role, and their hard work, consistency and pride in what they do keeps everything running at such a high standard. The business also thanks its customers. Their continued support, loyalty and feedback mean everything. They have been part of the journey, and this award is just as much theirs as it is Casa Rosa’s. To all customers and supporters, Casa Rosa says a huge thank you. This award would not be possible without you. Your loyalty, kind words and continued support mean everything to the team. Casa Rosa is grateful for every order, every visit and every bit of encouragement along the way. As Takeaway of the Year, Casa Rosa will keep working hard to give customers the best experience possible and looks forward to welcoming everyone for many more years to come.