If you're thinking about doing a PhD and lurve a curry...

...Leicester could be the place for you (shame they don't say which are the best restaurants in this article 'though).

City curries favour with judges

Leicester has been named as Curry Capital of Britain, after an undercover team of 13 tasters judged five restaurants earlier this year.
The city beat 16 rivals to take the title after several years of trying.

Officials said a combination of good food and a vibrant atmosphere, created by £4bn of regeneration in the city, had boosted Leicester's bid.

Organiser Peter Grove, from Menu Magazine, said: "The quality of food was very good."

He added: "With all that is happening within the city we felt it was the deserving winner."

More visitors

The city's curry houses were up against rivals from Glasgow, which won the title last year, and Birmingham, winners in 2005.

Restaurant bosses and tourism chiefs said the win would help lure more visitors to Leicestershire as a whole.

Syed Rahman, owner of Little India in Arnesby - one of the restaurants which impressed the judges - said he was delighted with the news.

He said: "I can't believe that it has taken this long to be recognised for having the best curries in the UK.

"If you look across the whole of Leicestershire there is a great diversity of cooking and our customers have been saying for years how good the food here is compared to other cities."

Curry fans in the city said they were happy Leicester had scooped the title.

Marcus Winder, 37, from Blaby, said: "I have been to places across the UK and there is nothing like a curry from Leicester."

Caroline Hayes, 44, from Countesthorpe, said: "This is great news. We can finally shout about all the top restaurants in the area."

Story from BBC NEWS


Published: 2007/05/23 15:07:17 GMT

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