Teams announced for 14th Curry Capital of Britain title

Compiling votes for the city restaurant teams for Curry Capital of Britain has been a bigger undertaking than ever this year, according to the organiser.

Thousands and thousands of votes were received from the beginning of February until the very close of voting at midnight on Monday (June 6).

Supported by partners Asda, Bhai Cider, Goa Beer and Kingfisher, The Curry Capital of Britain was created in 1999 by Peter & Colleen Grove who are co-editors of ‘The Real Curry Restaurant Guide’.

The aim was to provide a showcase for selected cities with large ethnic communities through the medium of food and drink. A more recent focus has been on the cooperation between the council, restaurants and education bodies to promote the curry industry.

The Curry Capital of Britain is part of 19th National Curry Week, which takes place in October.

Peter Grove said: “The enthusiasm continues to be amazing and suggests that winning the title this year will be a very hotly contested matter.

“The continued spread of the popularity of curry was shown in the voting this year with votes for Chinese, Thai and even Japanese restaurants.”

The top restaurants voted for in each city, subject to council approval, are:

Glasgow – Mother India/Cafe, Charcoals, Koolba, Ashoka Southside

Edinburgh – Mumbai Mansion, Navahanya, Mother India’s Cafe, Shezan,

Aberdeen – Ambals, Sri Bheemas, India on the Green, Cumin

Cardiff – Moksh, Gateway of India, Purple Poppadom, Duchess of Delhi

Bradford – Akbars, Shimla Spice, Aakash, Kiplings

Leeds – Sheesh Mahal, Grand Indian Lounge, Tharavdu, Chandelier by Mumtaz

Manchester – Eastzeast, Asha’s, Zouk, Scene,

Sheffield – Prithiraj, Cutlers Spice, Zara’s, Jumeirah Spice

Nottingham – Anoki, The Cumin, Curry Lounge, Calcutta Club

Birmingham – Pushkar, Asha’s, Itihaas, Sweet Chillies

Liverpool – Yukti, Mowgli Streetfood, Eastzeast, Sultan’s Palace

Leicester – Memsaab, Curry Fever, Chef & Spice, Lilu

Newcastle – Luigi Khan’s, Zeera, Last Days of the Raj, Sachins

Northampton – Lasaan Once Upon a Time, LaZeez, Indian Ignite, Tamarind

Oxford – Spice Lounge, Kadai & Naan, Qumins, Malikas

Brighton – Blue Mango, Indian Summer, Chilli Pickle, Curry Leaf Cafe

London East – Tayyabs, Cafe Spice Namaste, Cinnamon Kitchen, Laksha Bay

London North – Namaaste Kitchen, Riverside Lounge, RootsN1, Bombay Lounge

London South – Babur, Karnavar, Cinnamon Culture, Roz Ana

London West – Brilliant, Haweli, Mantra Dining, Clay Oven

London Central – Quilon, Cinnamon Club, Redford, Gymkhana

These restaurants will now be judged secretly and challenged to raise money for charity to form the basis of each city’s bid for the title, to be combined with a council submission and other research material. Votes for cities can be made at votecity@fedrest.com until September 1.