I must have the best job in the world when, at this time of the year, my chief role is to visit the restaurants, takeaways and other eateries which have made it through to the shortlist for the Leicestershire Curry Awards.
The choicest places to dine, as decided by the public, are spread before me and my fellow judges upon which to feast, analyse and cogitate before deciding collectively which ones set them apart from the others in their category.
It sounds like a dream job, and it is, as we go from one great meal to another, visiting swathes of Leicester, its county and Rutland all rich with the greatest Asian food. You will struggle to find anything better anywhere else in the UK.
That’s what makes the job of judging difficult. We are blessed with the best and often the difference between an award winner and the rest comes down to the tiniest detail – but so it must if the process is to have integrity.
Those shortlisted share a passion for what they do, a collective interest in maintaining the industry’s good health but at the same time relentlessly pursue a competitive edge over their rivals to ensure they not just survive, but thrive.
It is a testament to the creativity, extraordinary skill and, above all, hard work of the chefs, their kitchen team and front of house colleagues, and to the tenacity of the owners to keep their businesses afloat in challenging economic times.
Our reward as judges? Playing what part we can in recognising the contribution of the winners – and all those shortlisted – to the culinary and cultural achievements which benefit us all in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.