Taj Among UK's Top 14 HAVERFORDWEST’S Taj Mahal restaurant is preparing for a curry cook-off in the House of Commons later this month, as its place on the inaugural Tiffin Cup was confirmed today. The restaurant was one of 40 nominated by MPs in the UK for the award for their fine south Asian cuisine. It has survived onto the shortlist of 14 restaurants. Chefs from the Taj Mahal will head to Parliament next week in an attempt to secure the cup, and accompanying prize of a year's supply of Cobra Beer. Preseli Pembrokeshire MP, Stephen Crabb, nominated the restaurant. "I congratulate the Taj Mahal in Haverfordwest on making it through to the final of the Tiffin Cup in the House of Commons next Tuesday," said the MP. "The UK has a love affair with curry and Pembrokeshire is no exception. I am therefore delighted that one of our local Indian restaurants has the opportunity to compete with other regional 'Curry Kings' on a national stage. "I'm a bit of a regular in the Taj Mahal so I'm pleased it was picked. I normally go for one of their lamb dishes. The lamb jalfrezi is excellent. "The competition is another opportunity to promote and celebrate Pembrokeshire business." He explained how the people of Pembrokeshire had backed his campaign to nominate the restaurant. The Tiffin Cup was launched by MPs Michael Fabricant, John Barrett and Keith Vaz in recognition of the contribution south Asian food makes to British cuisine. The award was launched with the formation of an MPs’ Tiffin Club last November. This years competition is in aid of ROKO Cancer Appeal - a charity established five years ago by entrepreneur M.K. Chawla, to raise funds to help in the fight against breast cancer. The charity introduced the first mobile breast cancer detection unit in Amritsar last year. Next week’s competition will be judged by Ainsley Harriott, Loyd Grossman, and comedy writer and actress Nina Wadia, among others. Mr Vaz said that the Taj Mahal’s nomination placed it among the 14 best south Asian restaurants in Britain. "These restaurants raise a greater awareness and understanding of Britain's Asian communities," he said. "I am sure this will be a fun-packed evening that will highlight how far south Asian cuisine has developed in this country, while also supporting two very worthy causes." asian food http://www.pembrokeshiretv.com/content