JINNAH Restaurants, the Yorkshire group has been named as one of the UK's top 100 curry houses and could now be in line for a national cooking medal next week.

The group, which has restaurants in York, Harrogate, Haxby, Flaxton and Leeds, was picked from more than 8,500 candidates in the Best of Britain Awards organised by the Good Curry Guide.

The top 100 will converge on London's Hilton Park Lane Hotel on Monday night when national medals will be presented at the curry industry's top awards - a supper hosted by Sky News presenter Liza Aziz - and Jinnah Restaurants has been shortlisted.

Group head Saleem Akhtar said: "From day one, we have built our reputation on quality ingredients, skillfully prepared and professionally served, and it certainly seems to be a winning formula with sales growing year on year.

"We have always believed that we are among the best of the UK's Indian restaurants, and to be named in the top 100 is a great compliment to all our staff."

Pat Chapman, founder of the Curry Club and author of the 8th edition Cobra Good Curry Guide, said:

"To attain the Top 100 category is an immense achievement, recognised by both the public and those within the industry."

Updated: 10:02 Friday, May 14, 2004