Still Chance to be Curry Champ

Chefs Food

Budding champion chefs have only a short time left to stake their claim to the title of Curry Chef of 2005. This is the third year the competition has been run by Rochdale Council's Environmental Health and Licensing Service as a way of building positive relationships with the local community.

"Anyone who cooks curry at a business in the Rochdale borough can enter, whether they cook in a restaurant, takeaway or even a pub", said Adrian Watson, Chief Environmental Health Officer. "Chefs will have 60 minutes to prepare and cook one main curry dish, one complimentary side dish, and rice or bread. They will be assessed by judges on the taste of the food and also on the standards of hygiene in their premises and their knowledge of food safety."

This year's judges include Mr Farooq Ahmed, of Veenas Restaurant in Heywood, who has won the Rochdale borough award for the last two years and who also won the North West Curry Chef of the Year title in 2003.

The three other judges are a representative of the Star of Bengal restaurant in Rochdale; Councillor Ann Metcalfe, the Cabinet member whose responsibilities include environmental health; and Mr Ken Smith, the Council's Head of Planning & Regulation. The Rochdale final will be held on Wednesday 31 August 2005 at Hopwood Hall College, St. Mary's Gate, Rochdale.

Six finalists will battle it out to show culinary excellence combined with impeccable standards of hygiene and food safety practices.

Finalists will be chosen based on written applications giving information about hygiene - including cleaning, safe food-handling and preparation to meet new health standards - and providing healthy choices for customers.
The last date for applications is 19 August.

If YOU want to take part, contact Ann Lynagh-Bland, Specialist Officer, Food Safety Promotion, Environmental Health and Licensing Service, Rochdale Council.  Tel (01706) 864636.  Fax.01706 864144.