Three restaurants in Suffolk and north Essex have made it into the final of the English Curry Awards.

Zaika in St Nicholas Street, Ipswich, Ashiana Tandoori in Colchester and Lowestoft Tandoori were among eight finalists from the east of England.

The English Curry Awards are a celebration of the top curry professionals in the UK, with the final shortlist being determined by a public vote. A black tie award ceremony will take place on 18 October at Holiday Inn, Birmingham Airport.

East Anglian Daily Times: Lowestoft Tandoori, run by Meheraj Alam, has been selected as a finalist in the English Curry AwardsLowestoft Tandoori, run by Meheraj Alam, has been selected as a finalist in the English Curry Awards (Image: Archant)

Meheraj Alam, boss of Lowestoft Tandoori, described his nomination as "an incredibly big success, especially in Lowestoft".

He added: "People say this town is a poor opportunity but we believe that with so much love from the customers we can really succeed here. We only have 35 covers so now I'm struggling to fit everyone in.

"I learnt all my dishes from my grandmother, and everything is a little different to your standard curry house.

"To start with I was working every hour I could, and I'm really pleased that it's paying off.

"During the pandemic obviously the business was struggling, but if I let my staff go I'd never be able to get as good a team again.

"We managed to keep operating by starting up a waste management business. My waiters became binmen."