Curry chef Mohammed named best in Exeter and Teignbridge

Mohammed Syed Walid has been named Exeter and Teignbridge Curry Chef of the Year.

The curry chef from the Real India, South Street, Exeter, proved to hot for the other competitors in the contest held at Exeter College's @34 Restuarant.

Mohammed's nearest competitor was runner-up Rajender Singh Hatwel, of the Dana Pani Indian Cuisine, in Sidwell Street Exeter. Izzadur Rahman of Saffron, Newton Abbot, came third.

The competition was organised by Exeter City Council and Teignbridge District Council's Environmental Health teams, to promote food hygiene.

Mohammed was one of ten curry chefs who took part in the competition at Exeter College. Chefs were given 90 minutes to produce a main, side and rice dish, with the dishes judged on their winning aroma, texture, taste and appearance. 

The event was sponsored by Bestway Cash & Carry, and conducted under the gaze of a distinguished panel of local judges including: Huw Southcott, Deputy Head of Faculty Hospitality & Catering at Exeter College); Judi Spiers from BBC Radio Devon; Cllr Rachel Sutton, Lead Councillor for Sustainable Development and Transport, Exeter City Council; Cllr Kevin Lake, Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services, Teignbridge District Council, and Richard Lawrence from ITV Westcountry. 

Cllr Sutton said: "We've had such an enthusiastic response from local restaurant owners. The competition gave local chefs the chance to be creative and put their skills to the challenge. It also helps the Council to promote good practice in food safety and hygiene and develop its relationship with local caterers."

Cllr Kevin Lake, Teignbridge District Council’s Executive Spokesperson for Environmental Services, said: "I am a trained chef myself and was very impressed by the standard of entries which, alongside their hygienic working practices, left me with the impression that they are all a real credit to their restaurants. 

"The already good working relationship between Teignbridge and Exeter was cemented further, and exciting times lie ahead with more work planned. The success of the competition was also down to all those involved so my thanks go to everyone who helped make it such a great event."