A Bradford restaurant owner is hoping that a listing in a top-notch eating guide will give his business a much-needed fillip during the credit crunch.

Zaara’s, in Bradford Road, Shipley, will be rubbing shoulders with “posh nosh” venues after being selected to appear in the next Michelin guide Owner Harry Khinda is delighted that his restaurant will be listed in the bible of good eating only two years after he opened following anonymous visits by Michelin inspectors. Mr Khinda said: “It’s unbelievable that we have achieved this in such a short time.

“It’s a great thrill to get a Michelin listing, which is the first stage towards gaining a coveted Michelin star rating.”

Mr Khinda, who used to work for lender Bradford & Bingley, achieved his dream of serving Punjabi food when he invested £200,000 to open his restaurant in the former Peter Dyer electrical store, serving food cooked in less oil and with less colouring than some other types of Asian food.

Two restaurants in the district, The Burlington at the Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel, Bolton Abbey, and the Box Tree in Church Street, Ilkley, hold one star ratings in the 2009 Michelin Red Guide.

Zaara’s has also been nominated by Shipley MP Philip Davies for the Tiffin Cup, an annual curry competition organised by MPs.