IT may sound like the food equivalent of taking coals to Newcastle, but a North-East chef is taking his curries to India.

Syed Zohorul Islam, the multi-award winning executive chef at The Capital restaurant, on Claypath, Durham City, has been chosen to represent Great Britain at Curry Life magazine’s global Taste of Britain Curry Festival in the Indian capital New Delhi next month (March).

One of four British chefs chosen, Mr Islam will showcase his acclaimed fusion recipes at the five-star luxury hotel ITC Maurya, home to Bukhara, rated one of the top 100 restaurants on the planet.

He said: “It’s a great honour to be selected. I’m very pleased.

“I create my own dishes, mixing Indian and British food. I’m sure I can show them in India something of what we do here.”

Mr Islam’s inclusion in the British team was announced at a Parliamentary event on Wednesday night (February 10) and he held a celebration at The Capital today (Thursday), attended by guests including Councillor Jan Blakey, the Mayor of Durham, and Durham City MP Roberta Blackman-Woods, who said she was absolutely delighted at the chief’s selection.

“I’m sure Durham residents will agree with me that this is an excellent and well deserved achievement and will join me in congratulating this tremendous accomplishment by Syed,” she added.

“I know we’re all very proud to have him representing Great Britain, and especially Durham, on a global stage.”

Mr Islam is no stranger to honours, having taken his recipes to Bangladesh and Spain for the International British Fusion Food Festival and tasted success at several Taste of Britain Curry Chef Awards.

He is the lone Northern representative on Team GB, which also includes Azadur Rahman of the Red Fort in central London, Abul Monsur from Taj Cuisine in Chatham, Kent and Dominic Chapman from the Beehive in Maidenhead, Berkshire.

Born in Bangladesh, 51-year-old Mr Islam has lived much of his life in Sunderland and has 37 years’ experience in the curry trade. He opened The Capital 15 years ago and also owns nearby Spice Lounge.

The Taste of Britain Curry Festival runs from March 18 to 27.