Celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott swapped his chef’s knife for a spoon as he judged a competition for the best curry in Brick Lane.

East London Advertiser: Left to right: Owner of winning restaurant Alladin, Raj Ahmed, 34, Alladin chief Sam Kundu, 28 and Ainsley HarriotLeft to right: Owner of winning restaurant Alladin, Raj Ahmed, 34, Alladin chief Sam Kundu, 28 and Ainsley Harriot (Image: Archant)

The Taste Brick Lane Awards saw some of the famous street’s best curry houses put forward their signature dishes in a bid to claim the top prize on Sunday.

East London Advertiser: Left to right: Owner of winning restaurant Alladin, Raj Ahmed, 34, Alladin chief Sam Kundu, 28 and Ainsley HarriotLeft to right: Owner of winning restaurant Alladin, Raj Ahmed, 34, Alladin chief Sam Kundu, 28 and Ainsley Harriot (Image: Archant)

Seeing off hot competition, Aladin restaurant chef Sam Kundu was crowned the winner with his chicken tikka blast dish while restaurants Papadom’s and Sheba came in second and third.

The Ready Steady Cook star said: “Everybody loves good food – and I love it even more when things start to get a bit hot and spicy.

“That’s why Brick Lane is one of my favourite places, for its great food and its wonderful mix of fashion and culture.”

Food lovers were also able to sample some of the area’s delights with entertainment from jugglers, dancers, face painters, henna artists and more.

The awards were organised by Tower Hamlets Council. Cllr Gulam Robbani said: “I hope visitors will come back to Brick Lane to explore all the wonderful tastes and sights it has to offer.”