Excellence in Food and Drink Awards 2007
Category: Vegetarian
Winner: The Authentic Food Company Sweet Potato, Chick Pea and Spinach
Indian food, Britain's favourite ethnic cuisine, has been popular since the 1960s and has grown into a œ1b market, but the sector has been marked by a lack of innovation while consumer tastes have grown increasingly adventurous.
The Authentic Food Company aims to drag the sector into the 21st century, and this spicy, vegetarian ready-meal from western India made from high-quality, authentic ingredients with a twist appears to have hit the taste bull's-eye.
The 350g dish is made from chunky sweet potatoes fried and tossed in a rich, smooth coconut-flavoured sauce with chickpeas and spinach. It can be served as a main course with naan bread or Kashmiri rice or as part of a mixed thali selection.
It takes little effort for a caterer to prepare and serve, as it can be cooked from frozen in an oven at 300°C for 20-25 minutes, or microwaved on full power for four minutes.
The result, according to the judges, is a "delicious, natural" and "beautifully executed" meal with a "superb taste" and an "excellent balance of spices".
Shortlisted
Tilda Primavera Risotto
Brakes Vegetable Tagine