Cocum’s chef Shajahan Parambath proved too hot for the competition as they scooped the borough’s coveted title of Merton’s Curry Chef 2010 this week.

Shajahan was one of four chefs who reached Merton Council’s seventh curry chef competition final held at South Thames College. The chefs came equipped with their culinary and presentation skills as they battled for the top place. Judges of the competition also looked closely for excellence in hygiene practices.

The winning dishes were chicken uluva and kootu with cabbage thoran and mushroom fried rice. Shajahan received the Curry Chef 2010 trophy, certificate and prize money. The three runners up- Mohammed Nurul Gioni (King Curry), Litu Khan (House of Spice) and Kedar Das Arya (Chak 89) – received prize money and a certificate.

The competition is sponsored by Niru Europe Ltd and is open to all Merton’s registered Indian restaurants and takeaway food businesses.

Merton council’s cabinet member for environmental sustainability and regeneration Councillor Andrew Judge said “We are so lucky to have a number of excellent Indian restaurants in Merton. Every year we see top quality cuisine from our chefs. This is also an important opportunity to highlight the importance, not only of good cooking, but also of excellent hygiene standards at the restaurants.”

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