CURRY lovers have just a few more days to nominate their favourite eatery for the third annual Bradford Curry Awards.

The deadline for nominations was initially February 29, but has been extended by a few days to allow as many people as possible to endorse who they think deserves recognition, particularly in the new category of ‘Best Home Cook’.

Founder and event director of the awards Fatima Patel said: “Thousands of nominations have already been received, however there is still chance to have your say as to who is crowned this year’s undisputed ‘best of the best’.

“Nominations have been extended to close on Tuesday, March 3 at midnight and organisers are particularly encouraging the public to nominate for their best home cook.

“The Best Home Cook award is an initiative by the Bradford Curry Awards to encourage more women to become professional chefs, with females accounting for less than 20 per cent of the UK’s professional chefs. Aside from that many of us always claim our mums make the best curry, so it’s time we nominated them.

“The winner of the Best Home Cook will be judged by a TV celebrity who will be announced in April. The winner will also win the coveted trophy, plus £500 cash and a free cooking course at Bradford College.

“This year will also see Bradford’s regional newspapers Asian Sunday and Telegraph & Argus come together for the first time along with LOCALiQ to partner up on the exciting curry industry celebrations.

“Curry has been at the heart of Bradford’s heritage and culture and the past two years have been an excellent get together and celebration of the whole industry. This year takes it up a notch as we will be working with the Telegraph & Argus to join us in celebrating the core fabric of Bradford’s rich food offering.

“It’s also fantastic that we will be able to create platforms to profile others who are talented and perhaps want to enter the industry, but just need a little encouragement with our Best Home Cook category. This year is really going to be our best ceremony yet.”

Steve Lowe, sales director of LOCALiQ, the digital arm of the T&A said: “Curry is at the heart of Bradford just like the T&A and it is great to celebrate another great Bradford export. Plus with the chance for readers to vote for their favourite restaurant, we expect huge competition to be crowned the best in the district.

“With supplements planned to promote the finalists and award winners, those that enter this year will enjoy great branding exposure to a huge local audience, we are really excited to be working with Fatima to bring the best awards ceremony in April”.

The awards ceremony will take place at the Bradford Hotel on April 20 and will consist of networking with street food, a host of inspirational speakers, comedy, a three-course meal and a special celebrity guest. There’ll be a buzzing ambiance of business leaders, politicians, members of the community, and above all the crème de la crème of Bradford’s curry industry.

The public can send in their nominations by visiting www.bradfordcurryawards.co.uk but hurry as the closing date is nearing.

To buy tickets for the event or to make sponsorship enquires please contact fatima@bradfordcurryawards.co.uk or steve.lowe@localiq.co.uk