Bradford curry title bid is set to be unveiled (From Asian Image)

Bradford curry title bid is set to be unveiled

9:00am Friday 18th May 2012 in North of England news By Tanya O'Rourke

Pictured celebrating Bradford regaining the curry Capital award from Glasgow are Mohammed Rafiq, from Kiplings, Faisal Hussain, from Shimla Spice, Mohammed Imran Shauket, from Prashad, and Ashad Mahmood from Aagrah

Bradford’s bid to defend its title of Curry Capital of Great Britain will be unveiled next week by four of the district’s top Asian restaurants and Bradford College.

The Aagrah, Kiplings, Prashad and Shimla Spice, who have been selected to represent the district, will be producing cuisine at a pop-up restaurant at the college on Monday to mark the completion of the bid document.

Produced by Bradford Council, the document will outline why the city should keep its curry crown.

Emmerdale star Matthew Wolfenden, of Norwood Green, and his partner both on and off-screen Charley Webb, will be tasting some of the best dishes to come out of Bradford at the event.

Councillor David Green, the Council’s executive member for regeneration and culture, said: “Four restaurants are combining for the first time to launch the bid. We are really keen to win this prestigious title again and believe once more that we have the strongest case.”

Bradford beat competition from 17 other cities including Leicester, Birmingham and Manchester to take the title in 2011. The previous year Bradford was Curry Capital of England in 2010, beaten to the British title by only two points by Glasgow. Bradford was also Curry Capital of Great Britain in 2004.

The judging panel scored the district’s bid highly last year for the quality of the food and service offered by each of the restaurants, but also for food hygiene, understanding of the curry restaurant sector and the success of the restaurants in collectively raising funds for food charity The Curry Tree, which seeks to alleviate the plight of the poor in South East Asia.

The judges were also impressed by the International Food Academy (IFA) at Bradford College and Jamie Oliver’s Ministry of Food, which teaches residents how to cook quick, simple, healthy and cost-effective meals.

The IFA has been working in partnership with leading Asian restaurants in the UK to address a shortage of chefs and develop a new generation of inspiring young chefs to fill the skills shortage in Asian restaurants.

Mohammed Aslam, managing director of the Shipley-based Aagrah group, said: “The pop-up restaurant is a great opportunity to showcase Bradford as the Curry Capital and promote a positive Bradford message nationally. Aagrah is delighted to be a part of this celebration.”

Earlier this year Mr Aslam was appointed as the chief patron of the IFA and has delivered an Aagrah Masterclass to Bradford College students.

Michele Sutton, principal and chief executive of the college, said: “Working in partnership with patrons of the academy, local restaurateurs and employers we can develop a new generation of rising stars to enter the industry and address the curry crisis.”