A BELBROUGHTON chef will be battling with the cream of the country’s curry industry for the title of the UK’s King of Spice.

Abul Kashem, of Stourbridge Road-based eatery Five Spice, has been selected as a finalist in the 2015 Curry Chef Awards, organised by the.

The challenge – taking place on Thursday (October 29) – will see 30 chefs from across the UK showcase their skills by creating a signature dish in just 45 minutes.

Abul said: “To be selected as one of the finalists is a huge honour. I will be competing against some of the finest chefs in our industry.

“Hopefully I can cook to the best of my potential on the day and impress the judges. It will be tough, the competition is fierce, but I’m really looking forward to showing them what I can do.”

Dishes will be rated on factors such as taste, aroma, presentation and hygiene, by judges including Bangladeshi celebrity chef Tony Khan and well-known curry lover Lord Kennedy of Southwark.

Tipu Rahman, head of the awards committee, said: “The UK curry industry is going from strength to strength and the standard of cooking is being taken to a whole new level.

“This cook-off gives us the chance to celebrate the talents we have in this country. The chefs will be given everything they need to create some truly stunning dishes.”

The winners will be announced at a gala dinner at the Park Plaza Hotel in Westminster on November 22.