A south Asian restaurant in Darlington has said winning The Northern Echo's Best Curry House award would round off an "incredible year".
Shuhel Ahmed is the owner of Babul's Darlington on Skinnergate. The restaurant has recently celebrated its third anniversary.
Mr Ahmed told The Northern Echo what it means to make the top ten. He said: "For us, it cements us as a very good business. To make the top ten again is important for us as it is a public vote.
"This nomination is the perfect way to round off what has been an incredible year for Babul’s."
The owner of Babul's, who won the award last year, believes they have been nominated because they are a "hardworking, independent restaurant".
He sad: "The reason why I think the public have nominated us is because we are a hardworking, independent, down-to-earth restaurant.
"It is a family-run restaurant, we do everything a little bit differently, and we do it well. You have to be proud when you do things right and we do a lot of things really well."
And Mr Ahmed said it is not just one dish that is popular, but the style of ordering.
He said: "Babul’s has never been your traditional curry house. Our menu brings together flavours and influences from across South Asia, celebrating diversity and creativity while keeping authenticity at the heart of everything we do.
"From our small plates and street food to our wide range of vegan dishes, we offer something for everyone and take pride in doing things a little differently."
He also spoke of Darlington's "thriving restaurant scene", adding: "We're proud to be a part of it."
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And Mr Ahmed said winning the award for the second year running would be "amazing".
He said: "It would be one hell of an achievement. There are a lot of amazing restaurants in Darlington, not just Indian and south Asian. Darlington has probably got one of the best restaurant scenes in the North East, so to win it, it would be amazing."
To vote for Babul's Darlington, cut out the slip in your copy of The Northern Echo and post it to: The Northern Echo Best Curry House 2025, LOCALiQ House, 1 Dalston Road, Carlisle, CA2 5NP. Voting ends on Wednesday, November 12.
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