Jesmond curry house 'Best in the North East'

A popular Indian restaurant has been named ‘Best in the North East’ in the prestigious industry publication, the Cobra Good Curry Guide.

Pat Chapman, the guide’s editor and Curry Club founder, awarded the accolade to The Valley Junction 397 in Jesmond, near Newcastle, last night (Tuesday) at an event featuring invited guests.

The Cobra Good Curry Guide award, which would usually have been made at a ceremony in London, was this year presented by Pat personally to the restaurant’s owners, brothers Daraz Aziz and Locku Rahman. It was one of 16 presented to Asian restaurants across the UK.

The Valley Junction 397, which is set in a former railway carriage, is no stranger to awards. In 1999, Pat awarded the restaurant a TOP 100 cachet, the equivalent of two AA rosettes.

Pat said: “The Valley’s reputation for their outstanding food and friendly service is well known across the North East. It’s been great to meet Daraz and Locku and present their award personally this year.”

Locku added: “We were really excited to welcome Pat to our restaurant and to receive the award. It was a fantastic evening.

“We continually strive to produce the best Asian food and it’s wonderful that he’d recognised our hard work and the work of our team here.”

The Valley chain, which includes restaurants in Hexham and Corbridge, has received several awards already.

The Valley in Corbridge, which is famed for its Passage to India service and is set on Corbridge station’s train platform, has twice won accolades in the British Curry Awards – the annual ‘curry Oscars’ – including being nominated for British Spice Restaurant of the Year last year.