AN INDIAN restaurant chef has been crowned the region's korma king at the curry industry's most prestigious awards.

Amdadur Rahman, of Burford's Spice Lounge, was named the Bangladesh Caterers Association (BCA) South East Curry Chef of the Year 2018.

Mr Rahman is one of 12 people across the country to bag the regional accolade, after impressing judges during a heated cook-off last month.

It comes after the Spice Lounge was named best in the south central region at the Asian Restaurant & Takeaway Awards in September.

The BCA awards are backed by restaurants and chefs and considered the ‘Oscars’ of the curry world.

The BCA, which represents more than 12,000 restaurants in the UK, whittled down a list of hundreds of contenders to just 27 chefs.

They went head-to-head at the cook-off, each aiming to produce a dish worthy of the judges’ top marks.

Meanwhile, 38 curry houses made the shortlist for the restaurant of the year prize.

On Sunday night, the curry masters rubbed shoulders with celebrity guests, dignitaries and politicians during a glittering ceremony at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel.

An evening of entertainment and culinary delights was hosted by news anchor Tasmin Lucia-Khan and actor and Celebrity Masterchef winner Alexis Conran.

BCA President, Kamal Yakub, said: “The finalists have all gone above and beyond to demonstrate their passion for great cuisine.

"Without gifted chefs and restaurants like these, Britain’s favourite national dish might not be curry."