A Tadworth chef came top of the poppadoms when he won the Reigate and Banstead curry chef of the year competition last week.

Against red hot competition from Redhill, Horley and Tattenham Corner, Abdul Rashid from the Haweli restaurant won with his haryali murgh masala, palak paneer and coconut rice.

Mayor Philip Circus, who tasted each entrant’s curry, said: “The judges must have had a very difficult decision.

“All the finalists’ entries were magnificent. The competition has been a success and a very worthwhile endeavour.” Runners up were Zakir Hussain from Khushboo in Horley, Larif Armugam of Tattenham Corner Public House in Epsom and Mohammed Lal Miah from Taal Contemporary Indian Cuisine, Salfords, Redhill.