MOHAN Miah has proved himself to be hot stuff in the kitchen - by winning the first York Curry Chef of the Year contest.

Mr Miah, of the Bengal Brassiere, in Nether Poppleton, was declared the winner by judges after a close competition at the Nestle conference centre.

His entry, featuring Bengal spice, vegetable bhaji and basmati rice, was judged to be the best on the day and a trophy and cheque for £100 were presented by Councillor Derek Smallwood.

York MP Hugh Bayley opened Friday's tournament, which was watched by officials from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health which runs a national competition.

The competition - the only one of its kind in the whole of Yorkshire this year - was launched in May.

It was open to chefs in all of York's 40-odd Asian restaurants and take-aways and attracted 25 entries - the highest in the country.

The runners-up, who also received cups, were Johir Uddihammed, of Akash restaurant, North Street; Saleam Akhtar, of the Jinnah Group, Micklegate; and Arjad Miah and Golam Chowdhury, who are both of Jaipur Spice, Haxby Road.

Councillor Smallwood said: "The enthusiasm for this event has been tremendous and I know that choosing the winner was a real tough call for our judges.

"However, I hope it will spur on everyone for next year's contest."

Mr Miah will go into the regional final at Middlesbrough College, Roman Road, Middlesbrough, on August 19.

The 2002 National Curry Chef Grand Final will be held in September at the Harrogate International Centre