Judges hail her refined yet soulful take on South Asian cuisine, praising her balance of flavour and authenticity
LONDON: Pakistani-born home chef Sunia Imran has been crowned the Champion of the UK National Curry Week Cook-Off 2025, earning widespread acclaim for her mastery of traditional South Asian flavours blended with contemporary finesse. Her victory marks a proud moment for Pakistani cuisine on Britain’s national culinary stage.
The annual National Curry Week, established in 1998, celebrates Britain’s enduring love for curry and the diverse chefs who keep its heritage alive. This year’s cook-off, held in London’s Covent Garden, brought together six of the UK’s most talented home cooks for a five-round culinary showdown. Each round tested creativity, technical skill, and calm under pressure, with contestants tasked to recreate surprise recipes within strict time limits.
From the very first round, Sunia stood out displaying precision, innovation, and heart in every dish. She won four of the five rounds before claiming the top title in a tense final cook-off. The judging panel featuring top chefs from MasterChef, The Great British Menu, and renowned UK restaurants praised her for her “refined yet soulful approach” to South Asian cuisine.
“Sunia’s food reflects passion, heart, and heritage,” one judge remarked. “She combines authenticity with a modern creative twist, balancing flavours with remarkable skill and consistency throughout the competition.”
As the winner, Sunia received a £1,000 cash prize, which she generously donated to Great Ormond Street Hospital a gesture that perfectly matched the warmth and generosity reflected in her cooking.
Beyond the kitchen, Sunia leads a demanding professional life as a Senior IT Project Delivery Manager for a UK government department. Yet, her passion for food has remained at the centre of her identity. On social media, her vibrant recipe videos showcasing homestyle Pakistani dishes have earned her a loyal following across Britain’s food-loving communities.
Speaking to Geo News after her win, Sunia described the experience as both “challenging and inspiring.”
“Cooking has always been about connection bringing people and families together,” she said. “Winning this award is an honour, but more than that, it’s a reminder of how food builds communities and preserves our roots.”
Recalling her upbringing, Sunia shared how her culinary journey began in Lahore, where her family’s home was filled with “good food, laughter, and love.”
“My mother has been my greatest inspiration,” she reflected. “From childhood, I loved learning about cooking and experimenting with different cuisines. Hosting family dinners was our way of spreading joy and that’s what I try to do through my recipes today.”
During the competition, contestants were challenged to prepare a diverse range of dishes, including Bombay pizza, grilled lemon chilli prawns, chicken jalfrezi, chicken malai tikka, and Rajasthani laal maas. Sunia impressed the judges not only by finishing within time but also by achieving a level of taste and presentation that set her apart.
Her victory serves as a testament to how Pakistani home cooking continues to inspire and influence the global culinary scene proving that tradition, when paired with creativity and heart, can truly transcend borders.
