YORK has the best curry cookery school in England.

Curry cookery school teacher, Sharmini Thomas, of Sharmini’s Inspirational Indian Cuisine, had her school crowned the ‘Best Curry Cookery School’ at the English Curry Awards on Monday, October 18.

The English Curry Awards celebrate the talent of the curry industry in the country.

Sharmini, who has 25 years of teaching under her belt, said: “Its a dream turned into reality and is still slowly sinking in that I won.

“To compete with nine other nominees dotted all around England who are of very high calibre is a feat in itself.

"So many of the schools were in areas where there were more Asians and I am so thrilled to bring this award to York.”

The curry moguls were judged on how many people nominated them and the supporting evidence, in which Sharmini bagged the most nominations in her category, and submitted her Trip Advisor reviews.

Earlier this year, Sharmini bagged a Trip Advisor Traveller’s Choice award for continuing with her classes on Zoom during the coronavirus lockdown.

She said: “The feedback I get, the beautiful reviews and emails, spurs me on.

“The enthusiasm of students wanting to learn how to cook and seeing the sheer delight on their faces of their proud achievement in cooking their very own curries kindles my passion for teaching authentic Indian cuisine.

“I cook traditional home-cooked meals, so they are creative and doable.

“My mum was a big influence she loved entertaining and shared her love by serving food, and my mother-in-law taught me the Garam masala spice blend which is part of ‘Sharmini’s Spice Starter kit’ of 19 spices."