Burnley restaurant curries favour with judges to win top award
11:00am Tuesday 25th October 2011 in Leisure
TOP TEAM Head chef at the Usha restaurant Ibrahim Ali, centre, with colleagues Momwar Ali, left and Shujon Miah
A BURNLEY curry house has proved it really is hot stuff after being named the North West’s best indian restaurant at the Asian Curry Awards.
Ibrahim Ali, the owner and chef at Usha in Rossendale Road, Burnley, said he was left ‘gobsmacked’ when his restaurant came out on top.
He said: “Initially we were nominated for the award by our customers. More than 300 of them voted for us and we are really gratefully.
“We travelled down to London for the ceremony and when they said we had won I was absolutely gobsmacked and it took ages to sink in.
“We were up against a lot of well known and respected restaurants that we have always looked up to.
“So for a small restaurant like us, from a small town like Burnley to win it really was amazing.”
The popular restaurant, which opened its doors in 2002, was judged by a secret diner after being nominated by its customers.
The whole restaurant was judged on everything from cleanliness and food quality to cost.
It is not the first time Usha has been recognised by the food industry.
Last year, the restaurant won a Highest Quality Assured Mark by Blackpool and Lancashire Tourist Board and this year has been nominated for the British Curry Awards for the second time.
Talking about the secret to a good curry, father-of-five Mr Ali, 34, said: “To make a good curry you need tender loving care. When I first started cooking I thought the quicker I got all the ingredients together the better, but I was wrong.
“You need to treat a good curry like you treat a woman, with patience and love.”
The restaurant, which is run by a team of 20 staff, also offers cookery lessons and its own spice range.
Mr Ali has also released a cookery book.
He added: “We are really thankful to all our customers who have taken the time to vote for us. We have got everything crossed for the British Curry Awards on November 28.”
gudari says...
5:38pm Wed 26 Oct 11