A host of MPs from across the country were today coming together in London to celebrate South Asian cuisine at an event which will name Britain's best restaurant.

The inaugural Tiffin Cup 2006 will see 14 South Asian restaurants, including three eateries from London, in a grand cook-off at the House of Commons.

Led by Leicester East MP Keith Vaz, Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant and Edinburgh West MP John Barrett, the newly-formed Tiffin Club, the organisation behind the cup, aims to promote South Asian food and culture whilst raising cash for charity.

Under the Tiffin Cup contest more than 40 South Asian restaurants were nominated by their local MPs and a panel then created a shortlist of just 14 of the best venues.

At today's grand cook-off a host of celebrities, chefs, critics and MPs, including Lloyd Grossman, Ainsley Harriott and Nina Wadia from TV's Goodness Gracious Me, will taste each of the dishes on offer before declaring one restaurant the best in Britain.

The contest is helping to raise funds for the Roko Cancer Appeal, which aims to create India's first mobile breast cancer unit, and TB Alert, the only charity fighting TB both in the UK and India.

Mr Vaz said: "The UK's love affair with curry has come a long way. I am delighted to host the first Tiffin Cup grand final, which will feature
14 of the best South Asian restaurants Britain has to offer.

"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."

The restaurants competing from London are the Bombay Spice restaurant in Enfield, Bombay Dreams in Brent and the Mirch Masala restaurant in Tooting.

More than 50 MPs joined forces to create the Tiffin Club which works to celebrate South Asia's colourful culinary contribution to the multicultural British Food industry and also raise a greater awareness and understanding of Britain's Asian communities.

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By Ben Pindar at PA News

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