Curry chefs 'rice' to the challenge

Curry chefs from East Devon, Exeter and Teignbridge were on sizzling form when they participated in the Curry Chef of the Year 2015 competition, which took place on Tuesday 17 February at the @34 Restaurant at Exeter College.

East Devon’s representative, the Star of India in Ottery St Mary, achieved third prize overall and was singled out by Indian cookery expert and star of ITV’s Food Glorious Food, Bini Ludlow, who praised the restaurant’s Paneer Aloo, saying it was one of the best she had ever tasted. It  was the Star of India’s first time participating in the competition, so their result was all the more commendable.

The prestigious event, which was organised jointly by Exeter City Council, Teignbridge District Council and East Devon District Council, was contested by 14 of the area’s top curry chefs who had just one hour in which to prove their skills, by preparing and serving a curry, a complementary side dish and a bread or rice dish.

Cooking took place in front of a judging panel, which included Bini Ludlow and Susan Clark, Devon Life Magazine’s Food Critic, together with local judges, chaired by John Wheeler, Head of Hospitality and Catering at Exeter College.  The judges were looking for food with a winning aroma, texture, taste and appearance.

Curry Chef of the Year was won by Real India, in South Street, Exeter, with their signature dish Lollipop Chicken.

East Devon District Council Portfolio holder for Environment, Iain Chubb, said: “The standard of cooking was very high indeed. All the contestants produced excellent quality dishes and demonstrated a good knowledge of food hygiene. However, I would particularly like to congratulate our Ottery St Mary representative, the Star of India, on their superb efforts and for winning third prize.”