'Top secret' recipes behind award shortlisting for Maidenhead restaurant

An Indian restaurant in Maidenhead has been shortlisted for the prestigious title of best takeaway at the Asian Curry Awards.

Masala Maiden, in Queen Street, only opened in March this year but armed with ‘top secret’ recipes, won out against its competition to reach the awards’ shortlist stage.

The shortlist is set to be whittled down again, before the winners are announced at a ceremony in London on November 19.

Owner Mohamed Tapader said he was ‘very pleased’ to be shortlisted for ‘one of the best awards in the UK’.

Describing the food on offer at Masala Maiden, he said: “Some of the dishes are traditional that everyone knows, but some are chef specials which are top secret.”

The chef’s special dishes include garlic chilli chicken ‘delicately flavoured with ginger’ and Lahori chop masala made with ‘succulent’ lamb.

All Mohamed would disclose was that the coveted special recipes had originated from a ‘confidential source’.

One secret he could reveal, however, was that Masala Maiden had strived to excel in ‘quality, quantity and price’.

There was also an acknowledgement that another important aspect to the shortlisting was hard work from the entire restaurant team.

Mohamed said: “This is down to our whole team. It’s not just me, it’s everybody’s effort. Everyone in the Masala Maiden team.”

The annual Asian Curry Awards describes itself as the ‘curry Oscars’ and features cuisines from across the continent.

For more information, visit asian curryawards.com/2023shortlist