A TAKEAWAY chef has cooked his way to the finals of a reality TV show competition.

Syed Marjan Haque, chef and owner of Masala Tandoori, in Newton Aycliffe, is over the moon to have made the final cut in Channel I’s Reality Show 2016: The Chefs.

The 41-year-old impressed judges in five rounds with his take on some of the classics in Indian cuisine.

Mr Haque, of Darlington, said: "I'm very happy. I watch the TV show and it's a good organisation and is about good food."

Five groups of six chefs from across the North-East were whittled down to two in rounds held in Newcastle.

During the contest Mr Haque showed off his culinary skills with a chicken korma, lamb shank, chicken korai and king prawn dopiaza.

His success follows his participation in a workshop held by Curry Life Magazine's Curry Life Chefs Club with top chefs earlier this year.

Ten chefs made the finals of the reality show and just one will be crowned overall winner in December.

The show is expected to be broadcast on Sky channel 833 later this year.