Indian chefs are battling in out in a quest to curry favour with a Tandoori jury during a cooking competition, writes Paul Harris.

Nine chefs from seven restaurants in Oxford are trying to tickle the tastebuds of the judges with an array of dishes.

Each is being asked to prepare a complete meal - including a curry, a side dish and rice or bread - which will be tested for taste, texture, appearance and aroma.

Staff from Oxford City Council's environmental health department will judge hygiene and preparation standards. The three chefs who impress the judges will have a tikka to ride into the final in June, when a place in the regional round of the competition will be at stake for the Oxford winner.

The restaurants represented are: Moonlight Tandoori Restaurant, Akash Restaurant and Aziz Restaurant, all in Cowley Road, Bombay Restaurant and Jamals Restaurant, both Walton Street, Shimla Pinks, Turl Street, and Cafe Spice, Rose Hill.

Each chef will be preparing a meal for the panel of judges - made up of city council members and staff as well as local food writers - in their own restaurants. Susanna Pressel, chairman of the city's health and environment committee, said: "We are looking forward to having our taste buds tempted by some delicious dishes.

"This will remind Oxford people how lucky they are to have so many difference places to eat on their doorstep."

Story date: Monday 26 April

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