Over 40 South Asian restaurants throughout Britain were nominated for the Tiffin Cup 2006 by their local MPs, which were whittled down to a shortlist of 14.

These lucky 14 then took part in a landmark cook-in at the House of Commons, preparing their signature dishes for a judging panel of celebrity chefs such as Lloyd Grossman and Ainsley Harriott and television foodies, including Nina Wadia from TV's 'Goodness Gracious Me!'

Restaurants acknowledged as highly commended by the judges were Bombay Dreams from the Brent South constituency headed by Dawn Butler MP, Aagrah based in Shipley, Mirch Masala in Tooting with Sadiq Khan MP and Sukhi's Indian Cuisine in Darwen.

Lloyd Grossman commented, "We have experienced some high art and creativity this evening and British cuisine is certainly enriched by Asian cooking and is by no means seen as a cheap alternative anymore."

With more South Asian restaurants in London than in Mumbai and Delhi put together, they all make a colourful culinary contribution to the multicultural British Food industry and also raise a greater awareness and understanding of Britain's Asian culture.

The Tiffin Cup 2006 was organised by Michael Fabricant MP, John Barrett MP and Leicester East MP, Keith Vaz, who also jointly head up The Tiffin Club, formed in 2005.

All MPs in attendance and guests raised over £2,000 for the Roko Cancer Appeal, which aims to create India's first mobile breast cancer unit and TB Alert, the only charity to fight TB both in the UK and India, including proceeds from the Tiffin auction.