CHEFS at Shimla Spice’s three restaurants have all been shortlisted as Northern Chef of the Year.

The Keighley-based company has seen seven of its nominations in the English Curry Awards reach the shortlist for this year’s finals.

The chefs at Shimla’s Keighley, Shipley and Burnley restaurants – Mohammed Shafiq, Nazakat Ali and Mahmood Akhtar respectively – are among 10 chefs vying for the North area’s top prize.

Staff teams at each of the three restaurants are also among 10 shortlisted for the Team of the Year in the same awards.

And Shimla’s Burnley restaurant, which opened following the company’s long-established success with its first two restaurants in Keighley and Shipley, is up for the Restaurant of the Year (North West) award.

The English Curry Awards are being held for the eighth year running, with the regional finals due to be held soon in Manchester.

The awards are held to recognise, celebrate and promote the contributions of the curry industry to a successful and prosperous UK.