Hot stuff! Newport chef wins national curry award
A curry chef from Newport celebrated a national award with a night of food and festivities at the restaurant where he works.
Alam Hussain invited friends, family and regular customers to Taste of Paradise for a celebration evening after being named the region's best chef in the annual Curry Life Awards.
Though he was cooking as usual on the night he did get a chance to leave the kitchen briefly, and entered the restaurant to applause.
He then posed for a photo with town mayor Peter Scott.
Simon Pownall, who visits Taste of Paradise with friends regularly, said the award was richly deserved.
The Newport resident said: "We've been coming for 13 years. We get a lot of Indians but I can say, hand on heart, I've never had a bad meal in here.
"Most restaurants have a bad day now and then but here, even when they're busy they never rush the food.
"I don't know how he does it."
"The staff here are spot on too.
"Alam did the food for my eldest son's wedding, he did proper authentic Indian food and it went down a storm."
Gavin Roberts, also of Newport, said: "We come regularly and we actually helped design the menu.
"It just can't be beat and it's great on value for money."
Peter Scott said: "We're very lucky to have an award-winning chef in Newport.
"Newport has a top-rated balti chef who rivals anything you get from the main curry places like Birmingham.
"I was very happy to be invited tonight and I've enjoyed every mouthful.
"I would encourage anyone to come down to Newport and try our curry houses."
