TWO restaurants in the Allerdale area have been shortlisted in a category for the 11th Annual English Curry Awards. 

There are lots of great takeaways and restaurants around Allerdale and Cumbria but these awards have selected establishments in Keswick and Maryport as standing out above the rest. 

Maryport Tandoori and Lakeland Spice Cuisine have been nominated as finalists in the category for best restaurant in the north west. 

The awards are run on a national level, with a black tie event being held on August 22 at Holiday Inn at Birmingham Airport. 

A spokesperson from event organiser, Oceanic Consulting, said: "The curry campaign has been hugely successful across the UK with Scottish, English and London editions to the awards.

"The English Curry Awards were one of our first and remain one of our best awards. It’s always a brilliant night of fun, food and celebration.

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"Despite the many challenges facing the curry industry, these awards prove year after year how much talent there is fuelling the industry, satisfying all of our curry cravings.

"We have an abundance of talent and fierce competition this year and we wish best of luck to all finalists."

Abul Monsur of Lakeland Spice Cuisine, in Keswick, said: "We feel really proud and honoured to be nominated best restaurant in the north west.

"We have been a family run business since 2001 and we are currently the oldest [curry] restaurant in Keswick and feel proud.

"We currently have a new reduced menu offering patrons selected quality meals, and with a reduced menu it gives our chefs more time to produce top quality dishes.

"We recently had a full refurbishment and used all local materials including a 300-year-old yew tree to create our bar along with Honister slate."

Maryport Tandoori declined to comment.

A spokesperson for the event organisers added: "The awards highlight the growth of the Asian curry sector and recognise the achievements of those who work their hardest to perfect every meal. Those rewarded, will include chefs, restaurants, managers, takeaways, teams and curry schools."

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