A DUNFERMLINE Indian takeaway is set to curry favour with West Fifers after walking away with a top food gong in its first year of operation.

The Curry Pot in Linburn Road has been open for only a year but was named ‘Takeaway of the Year – Central and Fife Region’ at the inaugural Scotland leg of the Asian Food Awards.

The awards ceremony, held in Edinburgh on Monday, celebrates the best in Asian cuisine, and the Curry Pot beat off stiff competition from across the country.

Owner Abdus Sabur decided to tikka shot at the awards “because if you win, it’s good for your business” – and there were no tears on the pilau when the results were announced.

Abdus (52) beamed, “It’s great. We were hoping to get it but we didn’t expect it because there was a lot of competition from Aberdeen, Inverness and Edinburgh.

“I was shocked when they announced we had won. We didn’t expect to get it in our first year.

“I attended the awards with my son Mahammed Jabbir, nephew Amraj Gafur and chef Gajender Singh and they just jumped up shouting and screaming!

“It’s testimony to the hard work and dedication of our staff and chef – our chef has worked in Dubai, India and Hong Kong.

“The staff are over the moon and I’m sure our customers will be very happy as well.” Abdus now hopes the Curry Pot will go on to spice things up at the national British Curry Awards, to be held in London in December.

He said, “I’m not sure how we will do because it’s a big one, so we’ll have to prepare for that.

“But I’m so pleased we won and will be representing Scotland. It’s given us a lot of confidence.” Another West Fife restaurant also came away with honours at the awards.

The Taste of India in Admiralty Road, Rosyth, was named finalist in the ‘Newcomer of the Year – Central and Fife’ category.

Manager Abdul Motin (38), who took over the restaurant in November, said, “It’s the first time we’ve entered and we’re definitely very proud.”