Pakistani home cook Sunia Imran secures victory at UK National Curry Week

LONDON: The UK National Curry Week Cook-Off 2025 concluded with a triumphant winner: Sunia Imran. The rising home chef defeated competitors in the intense contest judged by celebrity experts from culinary titans like Master Chef and The Great British Menu cementing her reputation for flawless Pakistani and South Asian flavors.

The intense contest featured six of Britain’s most talented amateur cooks. Judging the event were celebrated experts from culinary titans like Master Chef and The Great British Menu.

Staged live in London’s Covent Garden, the competition was a rigorous, high-stakes affair, spanning five intense elimination rounds. Sunia’s performance was nothing short of spectacular: she decisively won four out of the five challenges before ultimately securing the championship title.

The judges immediately praised her complete command of the kitchen, specifically highlighting the exceptional balance of flavors and the impressive technical polish she infused into every dish.

The panel’s final, resounding verdict stated: “Sunia’s food reflects passion, heart and heritage. Her confidence, passion, skill, and consistency stood out from start to finish.”

Demonstrating remarkable generosity, Sunia immediately donated her entire £1,000 cash prize to the Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.

Sunia, who balances her cooking passion with a demanding full-time job as a Senior IT Project Manager, noted that the competition was “both tough and incredibly inspiring.”

She explained that her connection to food is deeply personal: “For me, cooking is, and always has been, about connecting people and bringing families’ closer,” she shared. “What matters most is the way food brings our communities together. I grew up in Lahore, in a home that was always buzzing with delicious meals and laughter. My mother is absolutely my greatest inspiration.”

Sunia proudly recalled the challenging menu she perfected, which included Bombay pizza, grilled lemon chili prawns, chicken jalfrezi, chicken malai tikka, and Rajasthani laal maas. Every dish, she confirmed, surpassed the judges’ high standards for both taste and presentation.