THE NATIONAL CURRY WEEK
CURRY COOK-OFF
LETS TRAVEL THE CURRY GLOBE!
The heat is on this National Curry Week as six influencers step into the kitchen to battle it out for the title of The National Curry Week Curry Cook-Off Champion. Guided by their passion for food and a healthy dose of competitive spirit, each contestant serves up their best dish to impress an expert judging panel including Chef Praveen Kumar for our Indian round, Chef Tony in our Japanese round, Chef Lalita in our Thai round, Chef Chin in our Jamaican round & Theo - founder of The Chilli Trail in our Pan-Asian themed final.
Hosted by Kingfisher Brand Ambassador Tommy Sandhu and comedian Richard Blackwood, the competition takes us on a tour around the globe in the name of curry! At stake is the ultimate prize: the Curry Cook-Off crown and a £1,000 donation to the winner’s chosen charity.
Episodes release daily throughout the week, with the finale celebrating the champion’s journey and the standout highlights from an unforgettable Curry Cook-Off.
watch the latest episode
watch the latest episode
MEET OUR HOSTS
richard blackwood
Richard is a familiar face across comedy, television, music and the stage, with a career spanning more than three decades. From stand-up and presenting to roles in EastEnders and Hollyoaks, he has spent years entertaining audiences in all sorts of ways. He’s quick-witted, energetic and always ready to get the crowd involved. Richard will be leading the National Curry Week celebrations with plenty of laughs, audience chat and big personality.
Tommy sandhu
Tommy is a comedian and Kingfisher brand ambassador known for his cheeky humour, quick wit and plenty of audience banter. He’s no stranger to bringing people together over great food and good times. After hosting last year’s celebrations, Tommy is back for National Curry Week to keep the energy high, the conversation flowing and the crowd entertained throughout.
MEET THE JUDGES
CHEF PRAVEEN KUMAR - FOUNDER OF PRAVEEN KUMAR
Praveen Kumar is an award-winning chef, restaurateur and entrepreneur whose career has taken him from Southern India to some of Scotland’s most prestigious kitchens, including Gleneagles and Turnberry.
In 2009, Praveen and his wife Swarna opened Tabla Restaurant in Perth, which became the first Indian restaurant in Scotland to receive an AA Rosette. He later founded Scotland’s Indian Cook School and launched his own range of authentic Indian dishes, inspired by the recipes, ingredients and traditions of his upbringing on his family’s spice farm in India.
Praveen’s extensive experience, deep understanding of authentic Indian cuisine and commitment to showcasing its heritage make him ideal for judging his Railway Lamb Curry in the National Curry Week Indian round.
CHEF TONY TSANG - PRIVATE CHEF SPECIALISED IN JAPANESE CUISINE
As our National Curry Week judging journey takes us around the globe, our next stop is Japan - where Chef Tony is perfectly placed to judge our Katsu Curry round.
A private Japanese chef and founder of Desk Gourmet, Tony specialises in Japanese cuisine and brings a deep understanding of flavour, balance, ingredients and traditional technique to the judging panel.
His expertise in Japanese food makes him the ideal judge to help us celebrate one of Japan’s most iconic curry dishes and ensure our Katsu Curry entries are judged with authenticity, knowledge and a genuine appreciation of the cuisine.
CHEF LALITA - PRIVATE CHEF SPECIALISING IN THAI CUISINE
Next on our journey through the world of curry, we head to Thailand for one of the country’s most celebrated dishes — Thai Green Curry.
Leading the judging for this round is Chef Lalita of Lali by Lalita, a private chef specialising in Thai cuisine. Lalita brings an expert understanding of the ingredients, techniques and flavour balance that sit at the heart of Thai cooking.
With Thai Green Curry relying on the perfect harmony of fragrance, heat, sweetness and freshness, Lalita’s specialist knowledge makes her perfectly placed to assess what sets an exceptional version of this iconic dish apart.
CHEF Tomario - OWNER OF CHIN’S KITCHEN
Our search for great curry flavours takes us to the Caribbean, with Jamaica bringing its own bold and vibrant style to the competition through Shrimp Coconut Curry.
Judging our Jamaican round is Chef Chin, owner of Chin’s Kitchen, whose cooking draws on the rich flavours and traditions of Jamaican cuisine. Chef Chin brings a strong understanding of how spice, seasoning, freshness and richness come together to create a beautifully balanced dish.
With Shrimp Coconut Curry combining delicate seafood with warming spice and creamy coconut, Chef Chin’s expertise makes her perfectly placed to judge what sets an outstanding version of this Caribbean favourite apart.
THEO FOX - CO-FOUNDER OF THE CHILLI TRAIL
For the final round of our National Curry Week judging journey, we’re handing the destination over to chance. Two contestants will each spin the wheel, with their result deciding which part of Asia & which style of curry they’ll be taking on.
Judging the Pan-Asian final is Theo, founder of The Chilli Trail, whose passion for food, travel and discovering bold flavours from across Asia makes him a natural fit for a round built around exploration and variety.
With neither contestant knowing where the wheel will take them, Theo’s broad appreciation of Asian food and flavour makes him perfectly placed to judge a final that celebrates the sheer diversity of curry across the continent.
MEET THE CONTESTANTS
Ben is all about hearty recipes, comfort-food favourites and putting his own spin on everyday dishes. From quick meals to full-on feasts, he keeps the cooking relaxed with plenty of humour along the way.
Cooking for
Cal cooks his way through dishes from across Africa, exploring different cuisines and learning as he goes. From recipes to restaurant visits and food-filled travels, he brings plenty of flavour to the kitchen.
Cooking for
Lylaa always on the lookout for new places to eat and dishes worth trying. From London restaurants to food finds abroad, she shares it all in a chatty, honest and opinion-led style.
Cooking for
The Tech Fleece Chef does exactly what it says on the tin: he cooks food, then eats it in a Tech Fleece. His content mixes recipes, food reviews and his sense of humour.
Cooking for
Anoushka is an actor and lifestyle creator who shares everything from work and days out to friends, fashion and everyday life. Her content is playful and chatty, with plenty of humour running through it.
Cooking for
Niken, aka Hungry Olive The Thyme, brings together Indian food, restaurant finds and comedy. Covering Leicester, London and beyond, his page is a mix of curries, hidden gems and light-hearted moments.
