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The Star of India, Leytonstone, London, enjoys considerable acclaim from the press and local organisations not only for the quality of the cuisine and excellence of the service found there, but also because of its involvement in the local community and wider afield.

Here you will be able to find out about some of the things people are saying and some of the things we are involved in.

Leytonstone’s Star of India gets into ‘Tiffin Cup’ top three

Leytonstone’s award winning restaurant, ‘Star of India’ took a ‘starring’ role in the recent ‘Tiffin Cup’ challenge held at the Houses of Parliament.  The national competition, which raises money for charity, is held each year to find the best South Asian restaurant in the country.  Out of hundreds of entrants, twelve, including Star of India, were chosen to compete in the grand final at the House of Commons.  Each master chef had to prepare a signature dish, which was then judged by a select panel including EastEnders actress Nina Wadia and celebrity chef Shahena Ali.

Star of India, nominated by Leyton and Wanstead MP, John Cryer, was the only London restaurant to make it to the Tiffin Cup final and became the first London restaurant ever to place in the top three in the prestigious Lyca Tiffin Cup competition.  Owner and master chef, Shah Ahmed prepared ‘chicken jalfreizi’ as his signature dish, which obviously won the hearts – and tastes – of the judges. 

The Rt Hon John Bercow, Speaker of the House of Commons announced the winners at a special ceremony following the ‘cook-off’.

John Cryer MP congratulated the Star on an outstanding performance: “I was delighted that Star of India made it to the grand final of such a prestigious award.  The restaurant excelled in the competition and I congratulate Shah and his team at the restaurant for putting Leyton and Wanstead on the culinary map and for representing the whole of London at the final”.

Shah Ahmed, owner and master chef was delighted with Star’s performance: “it was a great privilege to be in the company of such high-calibre restaurants. To have my food placed in the top three was completely overwhelming.  I am immensely proud of my team at Star of India who have worked tirelessly to make this event such a success for us”.