From Silver To Champion: Dheeraj Singh Kaira Wins Britain’s Premier Curry Competition
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 Britain’s most talented chefs gathered to compete for one of the industry’s most prestigious titles: National Curry Chef of the Year.
Held on 28 May 2026 at Central Bedfordshire College in Dunstable, the competition attracted leading culinary talent from across the country, from Glasgow to London. Organised by UK Curry Connect (UKCC), the championship formed the highlight of the second day of the British Culinary Championships, one of the UK’s largest live culinary competitions.
With temperatures soaring both inside and outside the kitchen, contestants faced an intense challenge. Each chef was given just one hour to prepare two starters—either vegetarian or seafood—followed by two lamb-based main courses for an expert judging panel.
After a fiercely contested competition, Dheeraj Singh Kaira, Senior Sous Chef at the Michelin-starred Benares in Mayfair, London, emerged as the overall winner, securing the coveted titles of UK Curry Champion 2026 and National Curry Chef of the Year.
The victory marked a remarkable achievement for Kaira, who earned a silver medal at last year’s competition before returning stronger and more determined to claim the top prize.
A Winning Menu Inspired by India’s Culinary Heritage
Kaira’s championship-winning menu celebrated the rich flavours and traditions of West Bengal and Rajasthan.
His starter, Prawn Sorshe, featured butter-poached prawns infused with yellow and black mustard seeds, accompanied by puffed rice jhalmuri, fresh herbs, peanuts, and a vibrant pomelo salad that delivered a balance of texture and flavour.
For the main course, he presented Rajasthani Safed Maas, a refined interpretation of the royal dish featuring Scottish lamb loin served with a delicate poppy seed and cashew sauce, pearl millet khichdi, fresh spring vegetables, and smooth corn purée.
Medal Winners
The standard of competition was exceptionally high, with judges praising the creativity, technical precision, and authenticity demonstrated throughout the day.
Gold Medal Winners
- Dheeraj Singh Kaira (Champion)
- Rohan Wadke
- Manikantan Sree Rajhan
Silver Medal Winners
- Shabu Natarajan
- Saskar Shawnim
- Shiv Kapoor
- Visakh Pradeep Kumar
Bronze Medal Winners
- Praveen Singh Rawat
- Arup Dasgupta
- Steven Heap
- Jit Sunar
- Vikas Negi
- Nigar Parvin
- Layla Hamid
Special Category Awards
Several chefs also excelled in individual categories:
- Best Vegetarian Main Course: Rohan Wadke, Cameron House Hotel
- Best Street Food: James Murray, HM Royal Navy
- Best Dessert: Praveen Singh Rawat, Essence at The Pantiles by Atul Kochhar
Growing Reputation
The championships continue to grow in stature under the leadership of Shah F. Athar, Chief Operating Officer of UK Curry Connect, who has played a key role in establishing the event as one of the most respected curry competitions in the country.
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.
The organisers also acknowledged the contributions of sponsors, including The IBD Partnership Group, Sponsor Licence Specialists, Square Mile Insurance Services, Imran Brothers Foods, Kingfisher Drinks, Heer Basmati Rice, MOCK, and Knoesis Technologies, as well as Central Bedfordshire College for hosting the competition.
Looking Ahead
With entries already open for the 2027 championship, UK Curry Connect is aiming even higher. The organisation is actively seeking additional sponsors to help expand the event and support Team UKCC’s participation in international culinary competitions, including the forthcoming Culinary World Cup in Luxembourg.
As the profile of British curry cuisine continues to grow both nationally and internationally, the UK Curry Championships remain a vital platform for celebrating talent, innovation, and excellence within one of the nation’s most beloved culinary sectors.
