NINE Tynedale restaurants have been nominated for a competition to find the UK's best South Asian restaurant.

The Tiffin Cup, organised by The Tiffin Club, is an annual competition to find the best South Asian restaurant. Nominees are put forward by their local MPs.

One restaurant from every region is then shortlisted and invited to take part in the Grand Final cook-off event held in the House of Commons, judged by MPs and guest celebrities, with proceeds going to charity.

Nine restaurants from Tynedale and Ponteland were put forward by Hexham MP Guy Opperman, and the public now votes for their favourite.

The restaurant that receives the most votes will become Mr Opperman's nomination for the 2023 Tiffin Cup.

The Valley Group, originally set up by Daraz Aziz in 1991, had two of its restaurants nominated.

The business owns The Valley in Corbridge, The Valley Junction 397 in Jesmond, and Cilantro in Hexham.

Mr Aziz runs The Valley in Corbridge while his son Nabil runs Cilantro in Hexham, both of which Mr Opperman nominated.

Nabil said they were 'elated' about the news.

The Valley Group was shortlisted for Best in the North East at this year's British Curry Awards, and has been nominated by Mr Opperman for The Tiffin Cup.

Nabil said: "I think it's always nice to be recognised. Our head chef Atindra Naskar has competed at the Tiffin Cup previously with another restaurant in 2013 and Parvez Ahmed, the head chef at The Valley, competed in 2018 - The Valley's second time at the competition.

"Many of the awards do not allow the chefs to physically show off their skills - this one does. To be awarded by Members of Parliament and celebrity chefs is a bonus. Proceeds of the event will also go to a selected charity."

Mr Opperman said: "I am looking for as many people across Tynedale and Ponteland to vote for their favourite South Asian restaurant.

"Good luck to all our brilliant South Asian restaurants and I look forward to nominating the winner to the competition."

The deadline for votes is Friday, December 23.

The restaurants are: 

Aramee in Prudhoe

Corbridge Tandoori

Cilantro in Hexham

Haltwhistle Tandoori

Haveli in Ponteland

Indus Valley in Hexham

Mogul Raj in Ponteland

Ponteland Tandoori

The Valley in Corbridge

Vote for your favourite at https://www.guyopperman.co.uk/tiffin-cup-2023.

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