13th National Curry Week 2010

This year marks the 13th running of National Curry Week in Britain and the 200th anniversary of Dean Mahomed opening the first Indian restaurant in Britain in London in London's West End.

The purpose of the annual event is to highlight Britain's favourite cuisine and show just how much it has become part of community life in Britain and also to raise much needed funds for the malnourished and needy the world over.

The centrepiece of the week this year is the Curry Capital of Britain competition, combining with National Curry Week for the first time. This event last took place in 2007 when Leicester took the title but twelve cities around the country are going head to head to see if they can become Curry Capital of Britain 2010.

Restaurants and cafeterias around the country are registering for National Curry Week free of charge at nationalcurryweek.co.uk and then they choose their own way to support the event and raise money for charity.

Some of the special events are:

* Customer Restaurant of the Year 2010, collect votes from customers and send them in.

* Attempt a new World Poppadom Tower Record.

* Try to beat the existing record in the Samosa Speed Challenge.

* Enter the Best Signature Dish (Classic) or Best Signature Dish (Innovative) competitions.

* Enter the new "Chutney Challenge" to determine Britain's best chutney.

Peter Grove, founder of the event said "Each year the way people choose to support the event amazes me. From schools to universities and local councils to private curry parties - the list is endless."