Popular St Helens restaurant scoops hat-trick of top curry awards

He wanted to share his passion for Indian cuisine and make the business thrive.

Fast forward to 2024 and Steve has just topped our latest Best of 2024 category – St Helens’ Best for Curry 2024 – making it a hat-trick of titles over the past three years.

Operating manager Steve Chowdhury

In April, we launched our Best of 2024 competition and we’ve given out 20 awards.

• Best for Hair - At Gems
• Best for Pies – Burchall’s
• Best for Nails - Nails by Mandy
• Best for Roast Dinner - The Moss Bank
• Best for Cocktails - Cinema Bar
• Best for Breakfast - Shakey J’s
• Best for Fish and Chips - The Nelson Chippery
• Best Beer Garden - Turks Head
• Best for Fitness – Ashley James Ward at Award Health and Fitness
• Best for Tattoos – White Rabbit Tattoo Studio
• Best Independent Shop or Business – Gavin’s Butchers
• Best for Dessert – The Brownie Shack
• Best for Kids – Jo Jingles Warrington, Wigan and St Helens
• Best for Pets – Leanne’s Doggy B&B
• Best for Beauty – Harriet Harmon Studios
• Best for Pizza – Dial-A-Pizza
• Best for Afternoon Tea – Nirvana Coffee Shop
• Best for Burgers – Shakey J’s
• Best Gym – Ruskin Fitness Club

Voting for St Helens’ Best Café or Coffee Shop is currently taking place and we’re also looking for nominations in our latest search - Best Pub or Bar.

Vote for St Helens’ Best Café or Coffee Shop 2024

Nominate your favourite for St Helens’ Best Pub or Bar 2024

Eight delicious curry places made St Helens’ shortlist in the latest Best of 2024 category and Balti Spice came out on top for the third year in a row making it a hat-trick of titles.

Steve Chowdhury opened Balti Spice on Duke Street in St Helens in 2008.

He arrived in St Helens in 1978, married a local girl and settled down in the town, bringing up his family here.

It was only through working in other restaurants in the 1980s and 1990s that Steve managed to find out exactly what curry lovers want to see in St Helens.

Balti Spice opened on Duke Street in 2008

Steve, who is 61, said: “I love the town and its people and there are lots of customers who come to the restaurant not just because we cater for their tastes and listen to their feedback and suggestions, but because they’ve got know me, my family and the staff.

“For those reasons they always feel welcome.

“To anyone who has never been here I would say you are simply friends we haven’t met yet!

“We provide a great selection of affordable Indian dishes to suit curry lovers, even if they are vegetarian or vegan or looking for something low calorie.

“It’s all served in a cosy, friendly and relaxed atmosphere with a fully licensed bar.

“Alternatively, you can order home delivery or collect in person.

“We often host celebrations and many of our customers pop in early with a cake, candles and a few wall decorations and balloons.

“Sometimes they ask to use our small function room as it is free to hire.”

Steve has always worked in Indian restaurants and loved cooking with fresh ingredients.

In 2008, it was the right time to put all that knowledge and experience, together with his accountancy qualifications, into his own business.

Steve said: “Local people will remember The Shapla and the Koh-i-Noor restaurants from back in the day.

“I started learning about the hospitality business in those restaurants from about the age of 17.

“After that, I managed the largest local Indian restaurant for 12 years.

“I have so much experience and knowledge in the hospitality industry that it was a natural progression to bring it together in Balti Spice.

“Besides, I’m essentially a people person and I’m never happier than when I’m surrounded by the interesting and good-humoured people who come through the door.

“It also helps that I love feeding people great food and hearing them say how fantastic their meal was.”

What do customers think about Balti Spice? Why did they want the restaurant to win our latest Best of 2024 award?

One nomination said: “I wish I had visited this place sooner!

“Tasty and authentic food in a totally relaxed atmosphere and impeccable service.

“Steve and his team make it what it is.

“It is the full package!”

Customers say Balti Spice serves "tasty and authentic food"

Steve said: “You won’t see our curries swimming in oil.

“We make sure that it’s kept to a minimum and concentrate instead on great flavours in the food, which is all made with fresh, quality ingredients.

“We’re always happy to help people choose from the menu and adapt dishes to suit their preferences, allergies and intolerances.

“Vegetarians, vegans and those on a weight loss plan can find plenty to eat from our menu too.

“Equal emphasis is placed on the ambience.

“We get a lot of people saying that it’s like a home from home as it’s such a friendly place, where they feel truly relaxed and always get a warm welcome.

“Finally, we make every effort to keep our prices as affordable as possible and try to put the exotic in reach of your pocket.”

Steve added: “The best thing about my job has to be the customers.

“We have met some really lovely and interesting people who become loyal regulars and it’s always a pleasure to see them return time and again as well as get to know new people.”

Balti Spice’s Thawa dishes are a popular choice and are named after the sizzling cast iron dish they are served on.

They are served in a specially made sauce with various spices, onions, pepper, garlic and ginger.

Then there’s the Harry Potter which is listed as Hari Pata on the menu and youngsters like to order this dish as it’s a mild curry with spinach, yoghurt and mango.

When Steve heard that he’d made the final shortlist again this year he felt honoured to be nominated and grateful to his loyal customers.

The Balti Spice team (from top left) Zak Islam, Zahrul Haque, Tandoori chef, cook Simul Uddin, cook and head chef Khotibur Rahman, owner Steve Chowdhury, Robin Chowdhury, Coby Jones, Megan Hayes and Mohammed Lahin

Steve said: “Through these competitions, the St Helens Star injects a bit of fun into our social media and shows us that our customers still appreciate us and gives us a chance to let others know where we are.

“To win for the third year in a row made us exceptionally happy because it shows that we are still doing the right thing by our customers.

“It’s great feedback in a way.

“Who wouldn’t be chuffed to bits to get a hat-trick?

“We would like to extend a huge thank you to our customers, not just for all the votes we saw rapidly racking up on social media, but for their continued custom and loyalty.

“Even those customers who have moved further afield or abroad because they never fail to come and eat with us on their trips back home and they stay in touch via social media.”