BRADFORD IS CURRY CAPITAL OF BRITAIN 2004
(28 May 2004)

Bradford has been awarded the title 'Curry Capital of Britain 2004'. For the three previous years the curry houses and the people of Bradford have had to accept second place in the nationwide Curry Capital of Britain competition, beaten first by London West and then by Glasgow for two years in succession. This time Bradford Council declared itself "to be delighted to support the district's bid to be the Curry Capital of Britain in 2004" and made a robust submission as to why their city should win.

Sponsored by Kingfisher Lager, Curry Capital of Britain involves the public throughout the fifteen cities by getting them to vote for a team of four restaurants to represent each city with the help of local media and a special website. Bradford's choice was Aagrah in Shipley, Nawaab in Bradford, Kiplings in Greengates and Aakash in Cleckheaton and from day one the restaurants were pushing people to vote and the Council to get behind their efforts. Ejas at Nawaab even persuaded famous ex-umpire Dickie Bird to support his restaurant and Mohammed Rafique - Raf to his friends - must have telephoned everyone he has ever known to support the cause. At one stage the email at the organising office was jammed due to the number of votes.

Through March and April the thirteen independent judges visited the four restaurants of each city team and then awaited the submissions from the Councils. Then it became time for them to put the two sets of reports together and deliver their verdict on a points system. Organisers knew that holders Glasgow did not want to let go of the title and there were strong challenges from Edinburgh, Birmingham, Leicester, Cardiff and London East but nobody was prepared for the actual result. When all the points were added up by the organisers it was discovered that Bradford and Glasgow were level and it was left up to the organiser's casting vote for the final decision.

"It was a horrible position to be put in," said co-organiser Peter Grove. "All the teams had worked so hard and it was a shame to see anyone lose. We eventually decided on Bradford as the team raised nearly £2300 for the charity Action Against Hunger during the four weeks of EthniCity which incorporates Curry Capital, and that is some kind of record". The winner of the EthniCity 2004 title for the multi-ethnic sector went to Birmingham.

CURRY CAPITAL OF BRITAIN 2004

Winner Bradford
Runner-Up : Glasgow
Second Runner -Up : London East

ETHNICITY 2004

Winner Birmingham
Runner-Up : Edinburgh
Second Runner-Up London West

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