A LOCAL Indian restaurant was nominated for two national awards and made it to the finals of the hottest competition on the curry calendar.

In this year's annual Scottish Curry Awards, the Taj Mahal in Biggar was a proud finalist for the Best Indian Restaurant in south east Scotland, and the restaurant's Maitre D, Abed Ullah, scooped the title of Maitre D of the Year for the second time - having also won it in 2014.

Over the past nine years that The Scottish Curry Awards have been running, Abed has been a finalist in this category for the past four.

And the Taj Mahal has previously won 'Best Indian in Scotland' in another competition.

Still high from his win, Abed said: "It still hasn't sunk in. I was always told to try to be the best and I think I'm getting there. Over the last few months I've made a few changes in my life and I'm grateful to Allah that these changes have worked out.

"I would also to thank my family, friends, the team behind me which enable me to do my job so well, and the customers I meet and serve daily for supporting me - they are the secret behind me winning this. 

"I just hope I can keep my feet on the ground and carry on if not improve on what I do already thank you."

The grand award ceremony was held at Glasgow's Marriott Hotel on April 4. Biggar's Taj Mahal was competing against top curry houses from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen but that didn't phase them.

A positive Abed added: "Not winning the best Indian restaurant is a let down but each year we are competing with the best and are proud to be up there with them. We are hoping to retain our title of 'Best Indian in Scotland' as we are finalists in the Scottish Entertainment and Hospitality Awards which take place on Sunday, May 8. 

"We can't win them all but we can but try. Thank you to everyone for their support over the years."