Tiffin Cup facts for kids
The Tiffin Cup is a fun yearly cooking competition in the United Kingdom. It's all about finding the very best South Asian restaurant in the country! Restaurants are chosen by local politicians, called MPs, from their areas. The best ones then get to cook in a special "Grand Final" event. This big cook-off happens right inside the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, which is where the UK government meets! Judges include MPs and famous people. The best part is that all the money raised from the competition goes to help a charity.
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What is the Tiffin Cup?
The Tiffin Cup competition was started by a group of MPs (Members of Parliament). They wanted to celebrate the amazing South Asian food found in Britain. They also wanted to raise money for good causes. All the money raised from the Tiffin Cup goes to the World Vision charity.
How the Competition Works
First, MPs are asked to pick a restaurant from their local area. This restaurant then gets to challenge for the Tiffin Cup. Next, judges visit these nominated restaurants. They create a shorter list of the best ones. These finalists then get to cook live in the Houses of Parliament!
In 2019, 81 restaurants were nominated for the Tiffin Cup. Out of these, 13 restaurants were chosen to cook for the judges. The Chairman of the Tiffin Cup is Keith Vaz MP. A famous chef named Ainsley Harriott is often the Chief Judge. The special trophy is usually given out by the Speaker of the House of Commons.
Tiffin Cup Winners
Many amazing restaurants have won the Tiffin Cup over the years. Here are some of the past champions:
- 2019 - Kuti's Brasserie, from Southampton, Hampshire
- 2006 - Taj Mahal Indian Restaurant, Preseli Pembrokeshire
- 2007 - Bekash, Romford
- 2008 - Mint and Mustard, Cardiff North
- 2009 - Tamasha, Bromley and Chislehurst
Recent Competition Highlights
The 2019 Tiffin Cup was won by Kuti's Brasserie from Southampton, Hampshire. The final cook-off took place in Parliament, London. Celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott was the chief judge. The Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, gave out the first-place trophy.
Thirteen restaurants from all over the country took part in the 2019 final. Kuti's Brasserie won with their dish called Sikandari Royal Lamb. The judges said it was fresh, seasonal, and extremely tasty!
Other restaurants that made it to the final in 2019 included:
- Black Pepper's (Wales)
- Red Chillies (East Anglia)
- Vivasa (South East)
- Al-Nawab (Yorkshire)
- Indi's (South East)
- Rajnagar (West Midlands)
- Himalayan Kitchn (London)
- Indique (North West)
- Prithi (London SW)
- Soi Kitchens (East Midlands)
- Dabbbawai (North West)
- Nakodar Grill (Scotland)
In 2015, Mushtaqs Restaurant from Hamilton, Scotland, won the Tiffin Cup. Chef Ainsley Harriott praised their food, saying it had some of the best flavor combinations he had ever tasted.
The competition in 2013 also featured Ainsley Harriott as the head of the judging panel. A restaurant called Bilash Balti in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, was the first in its area to win the "Best in the North West" award.
In 2010, a record 74 restaurants were nominated for the Tiffin Cup! The competition that year helped raise money for the World Vision charity.
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