A BANGLADESHI chef from Oxford yesterday described winning a curry contest after nine years of trying as “a dream come true”.

Muhammad Ali, head chef at the Karma Restaurant in Oxford Road, Cowley, represented the UK in the International Indian Chef of the Year Competition.

Competing against seven other chefs in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka, he impressed the judges with his presentation skills and by cooking five dishes in two hours.

Mr Ali said he had been trying to win the title for nine years.

He said: “This means the world to me. It is a dream come true.”

Mr Ali was told six of the 10 judges voted for him. He had sailed through the semi-final round, winning by 35 points.

Mr Ali admitted he had been nervous before the competition, but said during the event his mind was focused on the task at hand.

He said: “I was nervous because it was a different environment, and because I was in a different country.

“But I gave it my best shot and it paid off.”

He said representing Britain put pressure on him but he was proud to bring the trophy back to the country.

Mr Ali said his customers had told him which of his dishes he should cook at the competition, advice he was happy to take.

He added: “I want to do it just to say thank you to the customers, because without them we are nothing.”

As well as the trophy, he also won £1,000.

The competition was founded by Edinburgh chef and hotelier Tommy Miah in 1991 to promote innovation and quality in Indian cuisine.