For the past five years, Bradford has been the unprecedented curry capital of Britain, scooping the annual title year-on-year despite fierce competition from over 20 cities across the country.
Last month, the West Yorkshire representatives picked up their fifth straight title with the bid team finally able to get their hands on the trophy on Wednesday 11th November.
A special Lord Mayor’s Civic Reception was held to celebrate the team’s incredible achievements where the title was officially unveiled by Lord Mayor, Cllr Joanne Dodds.
Cllr Dodds presented the trophy to the triumphant bid team and praised the whole city’s contribution to the award.
“The whole team has worked extremely hard to achieve the Curry Capital award and I am delighted to see all that effort rewarded once again this year,” she said.
“This is a truly magnificent achievement. To secure the title for a fifth consecutive year is mould-breaking and a fantastic accolade for our city.
“I would just like to thank everyone for their hard work and support and here’s to six years on the trot.”
The Lord Mayor was joined by stakeholders and partners from previous year’s bids as well as the 2015 team for the reception, including representatives from the restaurants: Akbars, Aakash, Kiplings and Shimla Spice.
This year saw Visit Bradford and the restaurant team work alongside Bradford’s Probation Office and the Fresh Start for 4U project to produce a Curry Capital Garden as part of the flagship project in their bid.
There was also a Peshwari Paws Teddy Bear’s Picnic and chapatti challenge organised to bring communities together.
Speaking on behalf of the businesses, Mohammed Rafiq, of Kiplings, said: “This year, the other cities competing for the Curry Capital title had our blueprint to work to. On paper it looks good but without the unity we have, as restaurateurs, it will not lead to success.
“Patricia Tillotson (Visit Bradford) and the gang have done a fantastic job coming together with the council in recent years and that is the true blueprint to success, not what is on paper.
We never thought we could win five years in a row but thanks to everybody’s help in the city we have been able to achieve this.”
