THE annual Bradford Curry Awards will take place next month to celebrate owners and people behind the city’s most renowned cuisine.

Thousands of nominations were received across eight categories. 

Nominations closed on June 15, and, following a rigorous verification process by auditors Adam & Co, the finalists have now been revealed.

People’s Choice: Bala Hissar, International, Lala’s Leeds Bradford, MyLahore, Prashad and Akbar's.

Judge’s Choice: Bala Hissar, International, Lala’s Leeds Bradford, MyLahore, Prashad and Akbar's.

Best Eatery: Sultan, Shimla Spice, Takdir, Lahori Dhaba, and Jinnah Saltaire.

Best Takeaway: Tazza Kitchen, Ambala, Krahi & Handi, Shalamar, and Shimlas.

Caterer/Events: Aziz Catering, MyLahore, Barakah Bros, Shalamar, Aagrah (Thornbury).

Charitable Work: Pakistan Catering, MyLahore, Aziz Catering, Prashad, and Sultan.

Chef Of The Year: Tazza Kitchen – Tazeem Sawaiz; International – Aijaz; Sultan - Habib Ur Rehman; Sultan - Altaf Hussain; Bala Hissar - Imran Yousuf; My Lahore; Naheed Akhtar - Dil Pasand.

Best Dish: Karahi Shinwari at Bala Hissar; Chicken Biryani at Chaskah; Chicken Shaslik at Omars Balti House; Chicken Spinach Karahi at International and Chicken Masala at Sultan.

Best Marketing: International, Shimlas, MyLahore, Akbars and Prashad.

All finalists, except the People’s Choice category, will now be passed to a panel of judges, who will visit the finalists and put them through their paces to help determine the winners for 2023.

Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony, but the People’s Choice category will go live on the Bradford Curry Awards website on June 27 for the public to vote for their ultimate winner. Voting closes on at midnight on July 6.

The theme of this year's awards is 'pay it forward'.

The organisers have pledged to provide a tiffin full of hot food to the vulnerable and less fortunate, which will be distributed by the Bradford Community Kitchen for every ticket purchased for the awards night.

Fatima Patel, founder and director of the Bradford Curry Awards, said: "Events like the Bradford Curry Awards not only highlight the curry industry's exceptional offerings but also uplift trade and celebrate an industry that contributes significantly to employment and tourism, enriching Bradford's economy."

Uber Eats is a sponsor of the awards for the second year in a row.

A spokesperson said: "We are thrilled to support the Bradford Curry Awards and celebrate the curry industry's achievements."