WELSH CURRY HOUSE OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2013
Curry lovers can rejoice in the news that they have found their new temple of adoration! The Festivals Company’ s Welsh Curry House Of The Year awards were held on Mon 22 Apr in the Coal Exchange, Cardiff Bay. Previous winners of this curry Oscar have included the Purple Poppadom – a nouvelle cuisine-style Indian eatery in Canton, Cardiff – and traditional Indian restaurant, Sheesh Mahal in Llanelli. The event started with a spectacular Indian street carnival and to continue the street theme, Cardiff pan-Asian street food favourites Katiwok catered the awards. Guests were introduced to their speciality dish, the kati roll – a yummy wrap of marinated meat, veggies and spicy sauces originating from Kolkata, India. The prestigious awards ceremony marks the end of a rigorous competition for Wales’ top Indian restaurants. Beginning with public votes, the top 30 restaurants are picked – 15 from south Wales, 10 from north Wales and five from mid and west Wales. A pre-selection jury then have four weeks to visit these 30 restaurants and meticulously scrutinize each restaurant’ s favoured Welsh lamb curry dish, available to order by the public until the end of March. Three finalists are then announced, one winner from each region, which are then visited by the five independent national judges who further cross-examine their signature dishes. Whichever restaurant managed to wow these curry masters the most are announced as champions at the awards ceremony. This year, the judges had a particularly tough time making a unanimous decision on the favoured restaurant, having to retire for the weekend to reconsider the options! However, one managed to come out on top with their warm, welcoming staff and enticing aromas. mid and west Wales, as well as overall, champions were Bengal Spices; while heating up south Wales was Swansea’ s Rasoi Indian Kitchen, who also won favour with their restaurant design. Finally, Maahis in Wrexham emerged as north Wales’ winners. Bengal Spices, from Llanymynech in Powys, inspired the judges with their traditional flavours of Bangladesh and friendly atmosphere, serving up tasty dishes to a rural community in a colourfully transformed small cottage. With an unbeatable curry house in every region, if you’ re in the mood for something hot and spicy, you are certain to be treated. Check out the Welsh Curry House Of The Year website for a full list of eateries certain to heat up your appetite. ALICE PATTILLO
Info: 029 2023 2744 / www. welshcurryhouse. co. uk