THREE food businesses from the Bradford district have been shortlisted for national awards.

Shimla Spice, Dhesi Grill and Just Desserts Yorkshire Ltd have been nominated in the Food Awards England.

They were put forward for the awards by their own customers.

Shimla’s Shipley restaurant has been shortlisted for Yorkshire Restaurant of the Year. It is up against Leeds-based Italian restaurant Zucco, Italian and Mediterranean eaterie L’Albero Delle Noci, of Harrogate, Oakley’s Grill and Pizzeria in Skipton, Halifax-based Catch Seafood, and Michelin-starred The Man Behind The Curtain.

If successful, Shimla will be in with a chance of being named Overall Restaurant of the Year against businesses from the North East, North West, East Midlands, West Midlands, East, South East and South West.

Shimla, which has won numerous awards in the recent past, has also been nominated in the Best Indian Establishment in the North category, where it is up against six others, including Manningham-based Dhesi Grill.

Shimla group manager Faisal Hussain, who was named the Curry King of England at the English Curry Awards in 2015, said: “Before I used to chase awards. Now they are chasing us. It is absolutely amazing to be nominated. We have won big awards before under the curry banner, but this is against different foods from different regions. It is overwhelming.”

Just Desserts Yorkshire Ltd, which is based in Shipley, has been nominated in the Bakery of the Year category and is up against six firms from across the country.

James O’Dwyer, managing director of the firm, which is based in Shipley and has been nominated in Bakery of the Year, said: “I am delighted and thrilled to be nominated and we look forward to hearing the outcome.”

The winners will be decided by a judging panel and will be announced at a ceremony to be held in Manchester on Monday, October 24.