Curry King set to spice up fundraising for LoveBrum

Birmingham’s long association with curry will once again be celebrated this month when the popular Curry King event returns to the International Convention Centre.

Hundreds of people attended the inaugural event last year and this is set to be repeated on Thursday (November 16) when guests will have the opportunity to demonstrate their culinary prowess by creating their very own version of the city’s favourite dish.

Each table at the ceremony will nominate a ‘chef’ who will then deliver the table’s chosen spices to a proper chef on stage. They will then cook up the creation ready to be judged by a panel of experts, who will then choose this year’s Curry King (or Queen) of Birmingham.

City charity LoveBrum, which has organised the event – and will be the beneficiary of the evening, has assembled the panel of judges, which will comprise: food writer Paul Fulford, Anita Champeneri, of Delicious PR, and Anita Chumber, of Asian Today. Restaurateurs Aktar Islam (former chef director at Lasan Group), Rai Singh (Praza and Pushkar), and Raj Rana (Itihaas) will also lend their expertise to the evening’s competition and they will be joined by Michelin-star recipient Richard Turner, of Turners at 69.

Rounding off the panel will be Nitisha Patel, the founder of Miss Macaroon, Rosie Ginday, and Soul Tree Wine’s Gorvinder Singh.

Returning judge Aktar Islam said: “I’m delighted to be part of Curry King of Birmingham once again this year; celebrating our city – and nation’s – favourite cuisine in such a fun way… it’s an event like no other!

“I’m so proud to be involved with the amazing work that LoveBrum does, as it really goes above and beyond when it comes to supporting the city’s unsung heroes and bringing communities together. The fact that this event will allow support to those who really need it only makes it a more wonderful event to get involved with; whether that’s judging, entering or simply attending.”

In addition to the competition, guests will also be encouraged to support the fundraising effort for LoveBrum though an interactive quiz, raffle, silent auction, and a live auction. Last year’s event raised £20,000 for the charity and that will be the target to beat this year.

Comedian Bobby Davro is the compere for the evening, while six-piece band HouseJammerz will be playing 80s classics, followed by a DJ set from Rob Holliday, of The Prodigy / Marilyn Manson.