Yorkshire cities compete for top curry title

BRADFORD, Leeds and Sheffield have been chosen to compete with cities from across the country to answer the spicy question, where is the UK’s curry capital?

Four restaurants have been chosen by the public to represent 2004 champions Bradford after voting ended on Monday. The restaurants, Cafe Lahore in Bradford, Azeems in Keighley, Aagrah and Shimla Spice in Shipley, will be put through their paces by a team of 13 judges after the official bid is sent in on November 8.

Public voting for the winner is open and will remain so until November 1 when the organisers, The Federation of Specialist Restaurants, will invite councils to send submissions on why they should win the competition.Bradford’s bid is backed by Bradford council.

The restaurants will be scored on the standard of their food and service, their hygiene and how well they serve their communities.

Coun Rev Paul Flowers said: “!We know that we have the best curry houses in the country – if not in Europe – and we expect the judges to concur with our view that Bradford’s time has come.”

Mohammed Aslam, managing director and executive chef at Aagrah, said: “We’re very proud to be chosen to represent Bradford, we should win this time.

“The curries we have in Bradford are unique, Bradford curries are now better than those from India and Pakistan.

“We have the best quality spices, the best meat and vegetables and our chefs have a broader range, but we still have work to do, we can still improve on what we produce.”

Local rival Leeds recently hosted the world curry festival, described as “a celebration of all things curry”

The city will provide strong opposition, along with Sheffield, although the Leeds bid is not run by its council.

To vote for your city, visit www.fedrest.com/aboutus.htm .