Sunia Imran Wins Top Prize at UK National Curry Week

Pakistani-origin culinary star Sunia Imran has claimed the top prize at the UK National Curry Week Cook-Off 2025, held in London’s Covent Garden.

The annual event brought together six of the United Kingdom’s most talented home chefs, each competing for the coveted national title.

This year’s judging panel included celebrated figures from MasterChef, The Great British Menu, and several award-winning British restaurants.

This ensured a tough and competitive environment.

Established in 1998, National Curry Week celebrates not just the nation’s love for curry but also the communities and chefs who have shaped its evolution in British cuisine.

The competition tested participants across five demanding rounds designed to push creativity, timing, and technical mastery under high pressure.

Each round introduced surprise ingredients and limited preparation time, forcing chefs to adapt quickly and showcase their instincts on the plate.

Sunia stood out from the very first round, displaying a remarkable sense of balance between innovation and tradition.

Her ability to tell a story through flavour impressed the judges, earning her four wins out of five rounds and the ultimate championship title.

The panel commended her “refined yet soulful approach to South Asian cooking,” praising how she honoured her roots while experimenting with technique.

The judges noted her precision, creativity, and deep respect for authentic Pakistani flavours, saying:

“Sunia’s dishes reflect both heart and heritage.”

As the newly crowned champion, Sunia received a £1,000 prize, which she immediately donated to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.

Outside the competitive kitchen, Sunia leads a different kind of team as a Senior IT Project Delivery Manager within a UK government department.

Her passion for food thrives through her social media platforms, where thousands follow her recipes inspired by Pakistani and South Asian home cooking.

Speaking after her win, Sunia described the contest as both “inspiring and humbling,” saying that cooking is rooted in connection and community for her.

She said: “Food has always been about bringing people together.

“Growing up in Lahore, my mother taught me that every meal is an act of love.”

Reflecting on the event’s cultural significance, she added that being recognised for authentic South Asian flavours in Britain feels like “a bridge between two homes.”

With her victory, Sunia Imran joins a growing list of South Asian chefs redefining British food culture — one flavorful dish at a time.