A CHEF at an Indian takeaway has been named one of the UK's top 20 curry makers.
Shab Uddin, head chef at Balti Night in Braintree, picked up the award at the World Curry Expo, which took place in central London.
The 27-year-old Bangladeshi, who has been working at the restaurant on Manor Street for ten years, wowed the judges with his unique take on the chicken saag, the grilled chicken tikka masala and Bengal lamb Jaipur.
"I have picked up the award but any good restaurant is about a team effort and this award will be for everyone at the Balti Night," said Mr Uddin.
"I would like to also thank all my regular customers who nominated me for this prestigious award.
"It's nice to be recognised and I'm very proud to win."
Balti Night has been open for 18 years and owner Mr Akik Ali puts his star chef's ability down to his training.
"He learnt from his mother in Bangladesh. His family are all good chefs and they taught him how to cook great food.
"We might look like a little takeaway but we have a rich history of quality cooking here."
The event took place on Sunday October 14 at the Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel.
More than 600 guests attended the ceremony and Stephen Cole, anchor news presenter for Al Jazeera, presented the awards.
There are more than 12,000 Indian restaurants in the UK and guest Matthew Hancock MP, Parliamentary under-secretary of state for business and education, said the curry was integral to British life.
He said: "The awards are a chance to recognise not only the talent, creativity and hard work of the nation's curry chefs but also their huge economic contribution to British life."
