Dheeraj Singh Kaira Crowned UK Curry Champion 2026
Kaira Wins UK Curry Crown
Dheeraj Singh Kaira of Michelin-starred Benares won the UK Curry Championships 2026 in Dunstable, outperforming chefs nationwide to claim National Curry Chef of the Year honours.
Dunstable, Bedfordshire – The heat was on at the UK Curry Championships 2026 as some of the nation’s finest chefs gathered to compete for one of the most prestigious titles in British curry cuisine: National Curry Chef of the Year.
Held on 28 May at Central Bedfordshire College in Dunstable, the championship attracted leading culinary talent from across the UK, from Glasgow to London. Organised by UK Curry Connect (UKCC), the competition formed the centrepiece of the British Culinary Championships, one of the country’s largest live culinary events.
With temperatures soaring both inside and outside the kitchen, competitors were tasked with producing two starter dishes and two lamb-based main courses within just one hour. The challenge tested not only technical skill and creativity but also the ability to perform under intense pressure.
Following a closely contested competition, Dheeraj Singh Kaira, Senior Sous Chef at the Michelin-starred Benares in Mayfair, London, emerged victorious to claim the title of UK Curry Champion 2026 and National Curry Chef of the Year.
The victory marked a remarkable achievement for Kaira, who secured a silver medal in last year’s competition before returning stronger and more determined to claim the top honour.
His winning menu drew inspiration from the rich culinary traditions of West Bengal and Rajasthan. The starter, Prawn Sorshe, featured butter-poached prawns with mustard seeds, puffed rice jhalmuri, aromatic herbs and spices, accompanied by a refreshing pomelo salad. For the main course, Kaira presented Rajasthani Safed Maas—Scottish lamb loin served with a delicate poppy seed and cashew sauce, pearl millet khichdi, corn purée and seasonal vegetables, combining royal refinement with rustic Indian flavours.
Medal Winners
The standard of competition was exceptionally high, with judges praising the innovation, presentation and authenticity displayed throughout the day.
Gold Medal
- Dheeraj Singh Kaira (Champion)
- Rohan Wadke
- Manikantan Sree Rajhan
Silver Medal
- Shabu Natarajan
- Saskar Shawnim
- Shiv Kapoor
- Visakh Pradeep Kumar
Bronze Medal
- Praveen Singh Rawat
- Arup Dasgupta
- Steven Heap
- Jit Sunar
- Vikas Negi
- Nigar Parvin
- Layla Hamid
Special Category Awards
Several chefs also excelled in the competition’s specialist categories:
- Vegetarian Main Course – Best in Class: Rohan Wadke, Cameron House Hotel
- Street Food – Best in Class: James Murray, HM Royal Navy
- Dessert – Best in Class: Praveen Singh Rawat, Essence at The Pantiles by Atul Kochhar
Awards were presented by the newly elected Mayor of Dunstable, Councillor Richard Attwell, who welcomed the national event to the town and expressed support for its return in 2027.
Building a National Reputation
The championship has grown significantly under the leadership of UK Curry Connect COO Shah F. Athar, who has worked to establish the event as one of the most respected and competitive dates in the British culinary calendar.
Athar highlighted the importance of providing a platform for curry professionals to showcase their talents while celebrating the diversity and excellence of Britain’s curry industry.
The event was supported by headline sponsors The IBD Partnership Group and Sponsor Licence Specialists, alongside Square Mile Insurance Services, Imran Brothers Foods, Kingfisher Drinks, Heer Basmati Rice, [MOCK], and Knoesis Technologies. Central Bedfordshire College once again hosted the competition.
A distinguished panel of judges, led by Salon Director Nick Wort and supported by industry experts from across the hospitality sector, assessed the entries throughout the day.
With entries already open for the 2027 championships, organisers are aiming to expand the event further and strengthen Team UKCC’s participation in international competitions, including the forthcoming Culinary World Cup in Luxembourg.
The success of this year’s championship once again demonstrated the depth of talent within the UK’s curry sector and reinforced the growing status of the UK Curry Championships as a showcase for culinary excellence.
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