The continued spread of the popularity of curry was shown in the voting this year with votes for Chinese, Thai and even Japanese restaurants for the first time. Compiling the votes for the teams for Curry Capital of Britain supported by partners Sainsbury's, Amira Rice, Bhai Cider and Kingfisher has been a huge undertaking this year with thousands and thousands of votes from the beginning of April until the very close of voting at midnight on Friday, say organisers.
"The enthusiasm has been amazing," commented Peter Grove, organiser of the event as part of National Curry Week, "and suggests that winning the title this year will be a very hotly contested matter".
The top restaurants voted for in each city subject to council approval are :
Glasgow - Mother India/Cafe, Heera, Koolba, Mister Singhs
Edinburgh - Mumbai Mansion, Spice Pavilion, Britannia Spice, Vinyasa
Aberdeen - Ambals, Sri Bheemas, India on the Green, Cinnamon
Cardiff - Moksh, Spiceberry, Mowglis, Duchess of Delhi
Bradford - Akbars, Shimla Spice, Aakash, Kiplings
Leeds - Sheesh Mahal, Aagrah, Masala Hut, Jinnah
Manchester - Eastzeast, Mughli, Zouk, Aamchi Mumbai
Sheffield - Ramas Bridge, Prithiraj, Cutlers Spice, Zara's
Nottingham - Anoki, The Cumin, Curry Lounge, Mogal e Azam
Birmingham - Pushkar, Lasan, Itihaas, Punjabi Rasoi
Liverpool - Yukti, Mowgli Streetfood, Mayur, Simply Indian
Leicester - Everest Dine, Sands of Glenfield, Memsaab, Curry Fever
Newcastle - Kamal, Luigi Khan's, Valley Junction 397, Solomons Lounge
Northampton - Lasaan Once Upon a Time, LaZeez, Indian Ignite, Tamarind
Oxford - Spice Lounge, Kadai & Naan, Qumins, Malikas
Brighton - Blue Mango, Indian Summer, Chilli Pickle, Curry Leaf Cafe
London East - Tayyabs, Cafe Spice Namaste, Cinnamon Kitchen, Laksha Bay
London North - Namaaste Kitchen, Riverside Lounge, RootsN1, Bombay Lounge
London South - Babur, Karnavar, Cinnamon Culture, Roz Ana
London West - Brilliant, Haweli, Salaam Namaste, Clay Oven
London Central - Trishna, Bombay Brasserie, Quilon, Chakra
These restaurants will now be judged secretly and challenged to raise money for charity to form the basis of each city's challenge for the title to be combined with a council submission.