Six North East curry houses have been shortlisted for a prestigious national award, which could see them crowned best in the region - or even best in the UK. 

With a high number of quality Indian restaurants and takeaways across the North East, just six have been adjudged to be up to the exacting standards to be shortlisted for this year's Asian Curry Awards.

Following the release of the shortlist, a record number of nominees will now be whittled down by online public vote, before visiting judges determine the eventual winners, who will be honoured at a glitter awards ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House on November 20.

With restaurateurs facing a ‘triple whammy’ of rising food prices, increased energy costs, and customers experiencing a cost-of-living crisis, Yawar Khan, chairman of the Asian Catering Federation (ACF), has urged the public to cast their votes, as a prestigious accolade can have a significant boost to a restaurant.

He said: “Every week I hear from another owner closing their restaurant because they cannot see an end in sight to the economic situation, but an award win can bring a massive upsurge in trade.

“For customers wanting to help their favourite restaurants survive, their votes can be crucial.”

Read more: County Durham Indian restaurant wins major award - have you tried it yet?

The North East restaurants on the shortlist are:

  • Delhi 6 on Ocean Road in South Shields
  • Dabbawal on High Bridge in Newcastle
  • My Delhi Newcastle on Clayton Street in Newcastle
  • My Delhi Sunderland on Borough Road in Sunderland
  • Spice Lounge in Durham Market Place
  • Everest Gurkha on Fossgate in York

This year's winners will also be included in the ACF’s new ‘One Hundred Top Curry Restaurants’ guide, which is being published currently, region–by–region across the UK, at www.Top100curryRestaurants.co.uk, with a printed version being available next year.

The event, organised by the Asian Catering Federation (ACF), which represents the nation’s 30,000 restaurants and takeaways, are the only accolade acknowledging the full panoply of Asian cuisines, is widely regarded as the sector’s most prestigious.

The Asian Curry Awards cover all Asian and Oriental cuisines: Bangladeshi, Burmese, Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Malaysian, Middle Eastern, Pakistani, Singaporean, Sri Lankan, Thai, Turkish and Vietnamese.

Curry lovers can vote for their favourite Asian restaurants and takeaways via www.asiancurryawards.com.

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