After an eight-year hiatus, the England Curry Capital competition has made a flavourful comeback, with Leicester clinching the coveted title for 2024. The competition, originally founded by curry enthusiast Peter Grove, celebrates Britain’s adoration for this spicy cuisine.
The revived online event, orchestrated by Pukaar Group, saw an overwhelming public response with over 11,300 votes cast, propelling Leicester to victory with an impressive 89% of the vote share.
Leicester’s rich curry culture is evident in its high concentration of Indian restaurants and its diverse South Asian culinary offerings. The city’s dedication to curry is further showcased through the annual Leicestershire Curry Awards.
The award was presented at a ceremony in Leicester’s King Richard III Visitor Centre, marking the beginning of a two-year reign as England’s Curry Capital.
The city’s campaign received robust support from local curry establishments and was judged by notable figures including Matt Wright and Gabby Miller.
Romail Gulzar, founder of Pukaar Group and a judge for the competition, expressed pride in Leicester’s achievement, citing the city’s unparalleled passion and variety in its curry offerings.
Mike Denby from Visit Leicester echoed this sentiment, highlighting the #TasteThePlace campaign that showcases Leicester’s diverse curry scene.
Leicester will hold this spicy title until 2026 when the next round of nominations will open up for public voting.
