THE countdown to Yorkshire’s ‘spiciest food festival’ has begun, with only one month to go until the World Curry Festival opens in Bradford and Leeds for 15 days of flavours, sights and sounds from around the world.

Between September 15 and September 29 more than 50 different events will be taking place including an appearance by Ken Hom OBE, who be attending the festival to receive a lifetime achievement award for his contribution to developing and promoting Asian cuisine.

Zulfi Karim, founder of the World Curry Festival: “Our key objective is to bring people together and curry is a great way to do this. We have an exciting new format, which has created new venues and partners across the region. Special events include our launch at the magnificent Bradford Cathedral as well as an appearance from the legendary Ken Hom OBE.

“We would like to thank our sponsors – Coca Cola Enterprises, Bradford Metropolitan District Council, Morrisons, Mercedes-Benz of Bradford and Turkish Airlines, and our many supporters including Kala Sangam who will hosting our Food Exhibition at St Peter’s House during the Opening Weekender.”

The festival launches on Thursday, September 15 at a gala dinner at Bradford Cathedral. Grand Master Chef Hemant Oberoi will oversee the preparations for the meal, which will be themed around the ‘Great British Curry’.

Highlights of the 15-day food festival include:

• An opening weekender in Bradford between Friday 16 to Sunday, September 18 with three days of Street Food on Broadway; a food exhibition, masterclasses and cooking school at Kala Sangam Arts Centre; and an evening of curry and comedy with Hardeep Singh Kohli – also at Kala Sangam Arts Centre.

• A street food market showcasing fresh street food from around the world on Broadway in Bradford between Friday 16 and Sunday, September 18; and at Wellington Place in Leeds in thanks to MEPC on Thursday, September 22 and Friday, September 23.

• Pop-up Cookery Demos at Leeds Kirkgate Market between Monday, September 26 and Thursday, September 29.

• Faith in Food events at churches, mosques, temples and synagogues across Bradford and Leeds throughout the festival.

A full programme of events is available online at www.worldcurryfestival.com

The World Curry Festival is a vibrant, fun and fresh event that brings people together in celebration of their love of food, culture and entertainment. Traditionally held over a long weekend, the event has attracted a huge following since it was first established in Leeds in 2010. The festival now takes place in Yorkshire and Malaysia each year.