Asian Curry Awards 2015 open for entries

The Asian Curry Awards 2015 are open for entries, with all Indian, Bangladeshi and Asian restaurants in Britain eligible to enter.

Restaurants have to have been trading for at least 12 months and have a minimum four-star hygiene rating, with a plan to boost this to five stars.

The winners of the competition, which is decided on votes from the public via www.asiancurryawards.com, will be revealed at a ceremony at the London Hilton on Park Lane in Mayfair on Sunday 15 November.

Voting for the competition closes on 16 September.

Leading restaurants will be visited unannounced by a panel of judges led by Pat Chapman, editor of the Cobra Good Curry Guide to ensure
a truly representative customer dining experience. Participating restaurants will be required to send the ACA meal four complimentary vouchers, which will be presented at the end of the meal.

The judging criteria are weighted towards the quality of the food and cooking, although additional points will be awarded for ambience, customer service and hygiene.

Shortlisted chefs will compete in a live cook off in London on 5 October.

"We expect top chefs to challenging the existing standards and exceed them," said Asian Curry Awards chairman Yawar Khan. "These awards are designed to encourage our young people into the restaurant industry and to motivate those already in the profession to set sights even higher," he added.

Nominations forms are available from www.asiancurryawards.com.