Pakistani-British chef Sunia Imran has made history by winning the UK National Curry Week Cook-Off 2025, a prestigious event held in London’s Covent Garden that showcases the country’s most talented home chefs. Competing against five other finalists, Sunia emerged as the overall champion after a series of intense cooking rounds that tested creativity, precision, and flavor mastery.
The competition, part of the annual National Curry Week celebrations established in 1998, honors the chefs and communities that have contributed to the UK’s vibrant curry culture. Judged by culinary experts from MasterChef, The Great British Menu, and some of Britain’s leading restaurants, the event highlighted the continuing influence of South Asian cuisine on the nation’s food scene.
Throughout the five-round Cook-Off, contestants faced surprise challenges under tight time limits, with eliminations after each round. Sunia impressed the judges with her consistency and innovation, winning four of the five rounds to secure the national title.
Speaking after her victory, Sunia described the experience as both inspiring and humbling, saying that cooking has always been about connection and community. She credited her mother for instilling in her a passion for food and family traditions, sharing that her upbringing in Lahore shaped her understanding of flavor and togetherness.
She added that winning the UK National Curry Competition was a powerful moment of cultural pride, celebrating Britain’s enduring love affair with curry and her own dedication to showcasing authentic Pakistani and South Asian flavors.
