AN award-winning York cookery school teacher has been shortlisted in the tenth annual English Curry Awards.

Sharmini Thomas, owner of Sharmini’s Inspirational Indian Cuisine, who began her Indian cooking courses through City of York’s Adult Education programme, has been shortlisted in the top curry cookery school category.

The awards are to celebrate the top Asian curry professionals and businesses in the UK.

Sharmini, originally from Kerala, said: “I am delighted and humbled to be shortlisted and am looking forward to bringing a trophy home to York.

“Being York’s first and only authentic Indian cookery school, I have had the privilege of sharing my love for Indian food and spices through my one of a kind cookery classes, and would like to thank each and every one who have attended my cookery sessions over the past 22 years.”

Sharmini continued her cookery classes online throughout lockdown, and won a Trip Advisor’s Traveller’s Choice Award in 2021.

She said: “My classes focus on practicing different techniques - identifying different ways to use common Indian ingredients, discovering their secret health benefits, learning about the innumerable flavour combinations.

“True to our Indian culture, my clients do not leave empty handed - they are also able to take home curries already cooked to share with family and receive a recipe booklet to keep practicing.”

The black-tie event will take place on Monday, October 18 in Birmingham.

She said: “I would also like to thank all clients who had booked vouchers for classes before Covid and waited patiently or still waiting to attend them, more classes will be held in 2022.”