Compiling the votes for the teams for Curry Capital of Britain supported by partners Asda (lead sponsor), Bhai Cider, Goa Beer and Kingfisher has been a bigger than ever undertaking this year with thousands and thousands of votes from the beginning of February until the very close of voting at midnight on Monday, say organisers.

"The enthusiasm continues to be amazing," commented Peter Grove, organiser of the event as part of 19th National Curry Week in October, "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 still be made at votecity@fedrest.com until 01 September.

ENDS

For further information: Colleen Grove, Tel: 020 8399 4831 
Email: groveint@aol.com

www.currycapitalofbritain.co.uk