The first ever Shrewsbury Big Curry was held in The Square on Saturday in aid of ABF The Soldiers’ Charity. The event was organised by Nick Chavasse, Managing Director of NRG Direct Mail Ltd, a former Major in the British Army, in conjunction with Heart of Eengland fine foods (HEFF), managers of Shropshire Food Enterprise Centre, and Shropshire Council.

The Army chefs from 143 (West Midlands) Brigade and Taste kitchen chef, Ed Warren, locked heads in a curry cook-off with the public donating to the charity in exchange for a portion of both curries and then voting for their favourite. The curries were labelled just ‘Curry 1’ and ‘Curry 2’ to keep the chefs anonymous and it was ‘Curry 2’ made by Ed Warren which was crowned as the winner in the closely fought battle. Ed was presented with his plaque by Martin Kabir of Shalimar Indian Restaurant on Abbey Foregate.

The event was such a success that all 500 portions of curry were sold in just three hours. Mr Chavasse said: “We were astounded by the response, it was a fantastic day and there was a great atmosphere in The Square. Thank you to everyone who came and supported the event and the charity and to the sponsors who donated so generously.”

In 2010 The Soldiers’ Charity was able to give £76,132.50 to support 72 different cases including soldiers and their families in Shropshire.