A GOUROCK restaurant has proved it is ‘second to naan’ after being shortlisted for two tasty awards.

The heat is on for staff at the Taj Mahal in Kempock Street as the eaterie is up for ‘Best Chef’ and ‘Best Marketing’ gongs at the Spice Awards — Scotland’s premier curry event.

Pav Singh, who runs the family restaurant with his mum Tina Kaur, says it’s fantastic that customers voted the restaurant through to the final.

He said: “We feel very honoured to be nominated for the awards.

“It was a lovely surprise.

“Our chefs work so hard to produce such great food.”

The restaurant’s chefs Amarjit Singh and Manjinder Singh will now go head-to-head with rivals at a cook-off next month.

Tina is thrilled that the public voted them through to the final of such a prestigious competition.

She said: “I feel very honoured to be recognised and that all our hard work has paid off.

“I can’t thank our friends, family and our customers enough for voting for us.

“This makes a big difference to the business and we really appreciate it.

“It’s all down to our great team which includes the chefs in the kitchen, the waitresses and waiters, our front of house staff and our staff who do the deliveries.”

Judges from an independent panel made up of industry specialists, will now visit the Taj and the other restaurants, where they will grade everything from the decor and atmosphere to menu selection and value for money.

The winners will be announced at a gala on December 3.