The celebratory open-top bus tour might have to be postponed due to understandable health and safety concerns in all this snow but hell's bells and tastebud-tingling smells! Glasgow has only gone and triumphed in the Curry Capital 2010 competition! The nay-sayers said it couldn't be done – not least because Glasgow had already taken the title three times since 2001 – but thanks to a bang-up job by everyone involved in the bid, the west coast is the best coast once again. Even TATTGOC might have helped, a wee bit.

Read about how TATTGOC might have helped, a wee bit ...



After a three-year hiatus, the Curry Capital competition was revived earlier this year in conjunction with National Curry Week. Each competing city was represented by a team of four restaurants, as voted for by the public – the Glesga squad comprised of Balbir's, KoolBa, Mr Singh's and Mother India's Cafe. Thirteen experienced judges weighed up the respective spicy merits of each city's bid, based on the quality of the local curry but also taking into account community links, charity work and public enthusiasm.

The final results were announced exclusively yesterday on the BBC Radio Midlands Breakfast Show. That perhaps made it a little awkward when Birmingham – Curry Capital winners in 2005 – was placed fifth overall, behind Glasgow, Bradford, Wolverhampton and 2007 winners Leicester. Presenter Phil Upton was understandably stunned, describing it as “news we didn’t want to hear”.

Curry Capital organiser Peter Grove had this to say: “I can understand the disappointment of many cities that are convinced they deserve the title almost by right, but winning the title is more than just having great restaurants. It is a joint effort by the public, the council and, of course, the restaurants that results in a winning package of excellence combined with enthusiasm. The result next year could be completely different.”


Obviously, TATTGOC threw their not inconsiderable combined weight behind the Curry Capital effort, with some rousing calls to action and a small but potentially vital mention of our Curry Lovers Of The Year success in Glasgow's official bid document (see above). In fact, it took an uncharacteristic amount of self-control not to kick off this news report with the headline IT WUZ THE TRAMPS WOT WON IT. For some slightly less hysterical coverage of the win, check out the always-authoritative 5pm.co.uk blog. But what's that? There were even more curry-related awards dished out this week?

SOME OTHER RECENT TATTGOC NEWS POSTS
Rogan Gosh! It's National Curry Week 2010!
Could Glasgow Be Curry Capital Of Britain ... Again?
Hey! A Message From First Minister Alex Salmond!