'Give Bradford your vote in fight to retain Curry Capital title' (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

'Give Bradford your vote in fight to retain Curry Capital title'

5:12pm Monday 10th September 2012 in Bradford

Bradford’s bid to retain its crown as Curry Capital of Great Britain is hotting up.

Food lovers across the district have voted for their favourite eateries to represent the city and now Shimla Spice, Aargrah Shipley , Zouk and Akbars will join forces to help Bradford defend its title in the tenth competition.

Speaking at the start of Bradford’s bid yesterday, Shabir Hussain, of Akbars, said he believed the city was in the “premier league of curries” and urged residents to vote in an online poll, which will be taken into consideration by judges from the Federation of Specialist Restaurants.

“As someone who owns restaurants in cities across the country, I know the standard set in Bradford,” he said.

“It is head and shoulders above the rest of the country. Bradford is the premier league of curries and I hope we win.”

Amjad Bashir, chairman of Zouk, which, like Akbars, will be representing the city in the competition for the first time this year, said: “I think Bradford is so successful because it started off in the right way.

“Our restaurants opened because of the Asian youth who came to work in the wool mills in the 1950s and 60s. It fulfilled a need and they are very authentic.

“That’s why Bradford restaurants are so successful.”

Bradford will face competition from four-times winner Glasgow, which it knocked into second place in last year’s showdown.

Arshad Mahmood, of Aagrah Shipley, which was part of last year’s winning bid, said he was “very proud” to be involved in the competition again.

“Bradford has the best curry houses across the country,” he added.

Mahmood Akhtar, head chef of Shimla Spice, which has also represented the city in previous competitions, said: “I’m really looking forward to being part of this year’s bid.”

Patricia Tillotson, Bradford Council's visitor economy manager, said the Council would be putting together Bradford’s bid, which will be sent off later this month, and the restaurant owners would be working together to organise a charity event.

“It’s really important that people who live in Bradford vote,” she said.

To vote for Bradford, visit fedrest.com before Friday, September 21. The winner will be announced on October 29.