Restaurants across the North East are in the running for awards at the 'Oscars' of the curry industry.
The 'Curry Oscars', officially known as the British Curry Awards, have been highlighting the best in the Indian restaurant industry since 2005. Previous ceremonies have been attended by Prime Ministers, royalty and top chef Heston Blumenthal.
Restaurants in Dinnington, South Shields and Trimdon are up for a regional award. Others, in Sunderland and Newcastle, are in the running for national prizes.
Winners will be crowned at a ceremony in London on Monday November 25. Organisers describe the prizes as the 'Oscars' of the curry restaurant industry and it is customers who nominate the businesses.
Enam Ali MBE, British Curry Awards founder and curry industry lobbyist, said: "I am so very grateful to local curry restaurant diners who, every year, take the effort to nominate their favourite restaurants for the British Curry Awards, and who provide us with their vital feedback, letting us know about the best service, the best curry cuisine and other factors for consideration.
"Only with their feedback can their local restaurants also continue to optimise quality of the service they provide. It is the opinions and feedback of local diners that is paramount, and of far more significance that a critic’s review or a Michelin star rating."
British Curry Awards nominees from the North East
Best Restaurant in the North East
Dinnington: The Last Days of the Raj, Main Road, NE13 7JS
South Shields: Zeera Indian Cuisine, 206-210 Ocean Road
Trimdon: Cinnamon Spice Club, Salters Lane, TS29 6JQ
Best Newcomer - UK
Sunderland: Mumbai Silk, Temple Chambers, Duorro Terrace, SR2 7DX
Casual Dining - UK
Newcastle: Dabbawal High Bridge, 69-75 High Bridge, NE1 6BX
Dabbawal Jesmond, 1 Brentwood, Mews Jesmond, NE2 3DG
