Bradford was named Curry Capital of Britain® for an amazing sixth time in succession – making seven in total.

Close on their heels was past winner, Leicester, with Cardiff taking third spot this year, in recognition of the high quality of Indian restaurants in the city, such as Moksh, Chaiholics and Fez.

Organiser and Head of Judging, Colleen Grove, said: 'To be honest, Bradford have won so many times now we were actually trying to find a reason why they should NOT win the title again! However, it is a well-deserved victory. The team, headed by Patricia Tillotson, Tourism Manager at Visit Bradford, works so well together to best demonstrate the level of cooperation and community spirit that already exists in the city. Theirs is the kind of community cohesion that Peter envisaged when he set up the competition 15 years ago.'

The judges also continue to be impressed by the fact that the Bradford team not only submits a bid, but surrounds and reinforces it with various attendant projects, events and activities that are all designed to help others, be it in the form of charitable contributions or as a form of practical therapy or aid, such as the Curry Garden project in Peel Park.

This year's National Curry Week is dedicated to Peter Grove, who sadly passed away earlier this year. Let's raise money for people in need, in his memory.

ENDS

Editors' Notes

National Curry Week was started in 1998 to promote the cuisine and to raise funds for charities concentrating on hunger, malnourishment and poverty. During the week, curry lovers can get out and visit their local curry houses, some of which will be staging special events and fun challenges.

National Curry Week 2016 is supported by Asda.

The Curry Capital of Britain was first created late in 1999 by Peter & Colleen Grove who chaired The National Dome Grading Scheme (now The Federation of Specialist Restaurants) The event idea arose from the bad publicity following racial unrest in parts of London some years ago, unrest that has been repeated in other cities since. The intention was to provide a showcase for selected cities in United Kingdom with large ethnic communities through the medium of food and drink, focusing on what the cities do for their ethnic communities and, in return, what the multiracial community brings to that city. A more recent focus has been on the cooperation between the council, restaurants and education bodies to promote the curry industry and thereby assisting in alleviating unemployment and promote community cohesion.

The team voted to represent Bradford 2016:

Akbars 1276 Leeds Road Bradford BD3 8LF Tel : 01274 773311 www.akbars.co.uk

Aakash Bradford Road, Cleckheaton BD13 Tel : 01274 878866 www.aakashrestaurant.co.uk

Kiplings 834-836 Harrogate Road Bradford BD10 Tel : 01274 622 332 www.kiplingsrestaurant.co.uk

Shimla Spice 14 South Street Keighley Tel : 01535 602204 www.shimlaspice.co.uk 

Other Indian restaurants in Bradford receiving considerable votes: Prashad, Omar Khan, Karachi, Kashmir, Mumtaz, Aagrah, Azeems, Lahore Cafe, Kebabesh.

For further information: Colleen Grove Tel: 01372 745242 Email: groveint@aol.com