A curry superfan has a burning desire to visit every Indian restaurant in the East Midlands. Isaac Ockenden's mission - dubbed the East Midlands Curry Run - has got off to a flying start after eating at 30 across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire, and rating food, service and overall experience.
The 22-year-old has been keeping a record of all the curry houses he's sampled for around two years and he's the one friends turn to when they want a recommendation. He's been wowed by tandoori ostrich at Nottingham's award-winning MemSaab and less than impressed by a mind-blowingly hot madras at a restaurant in Derbyshire.
He has visited all three in his home town, Long Eaton - Al Naseeb, Chandelier and Mount Gurkha Spice. And he's had a spicy fix further afield in Benidorm, Ibiza, South Africa and Barbados, usually choosing something different each time off the chefs' specialty menu.
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Isaac, who works at East Midlands Airport, said: "It all started from nothing. Me and my dad went to a couple of Indian restaurants over the weeks and I started a making a list on my phone of all the ones I've been to. Then I checked in on Facebook and obviously people were seeing it. I started uploading pictures as well, then reviews. Nothing in depth just light hearted funny stuff.
"When I was at the pub people who knew me would ask me questions and mention it in a joking way. Even when I went to Ibiza one of my friends Paul, who lives there, said he'd seen all my curry trips and after a few drinks together we came up with the name the East Midlands Curry Run.
"The end goal is to visit all the Indian restaurants in the East Midlands and have a starter and a main. I can quite happily tell people where to go and where not go as we don't just visit the good ones. Visiting the worst rated is all part of the fun too."
One of the worst experiences was at a curry house that got the spice levels completely wrong. "The curry was way too hot. I think they got something wrong. I could not finish it and I am a regular madras eater," said Isaac.
Then there was the time when the restaurant manager flagged him down in the car. "I walked in and realised they had a buffet night which wasn't for me so I walked out again and decided to go elsewhere. Whilst driving away I was flagged down by the restaurant manager telling us we could still eat from the normal menu. I felt very pressured to say yes but just made an excuse that I needed to leave. I did go back another time and we were the only people sat in the restaurant the whole night."
"It's not just the food that's a deal breaker. A poor atmosphere can ruin a night out. At one Indian restaurant every time the door opens a security alarm sounds. I was hearing it in my sleep," said Isaac.
Isaac shared his top five with Nottinghamshire Live:
1. MemSaab, Maid Marian Way, Nottingham
This is an absolute beauty of a place in the heart of Nottingham. The service is of a high standard, the food doesn't not take long at all. Also features a dish called tandoori ostrich, something I have never seen on a menu before.
2. Anoki, London Road, Derby
The scenery is just fantastic. It may not look much from the outside but it is really unique place to eat your food. Good service and good quality curry. So it should be for the prices you pay.
3. Bombay Bridgford, Radcliffe Road, West Bridgford
Something a bit more out of town. Went with little expectation and came out very impressed. I had the chefs' speciality called the chicken tower along with a peshwari naan. It would be fantastic place to take someone out for dinner.
4. Ghandi, Borough Street, Castle Donington
I did once make a mistake, going a week before Christmas. There wasn't a single seat free in the whole restaurant and all the windows were steamed up. That's because the place is popular and simply lovely. Nice food and good value for money. It's not about going expensive and fine dining all the time.
5. Three Spices, Ruddington
Whoever decided to open an Indian restaurant in the back of a pub is a genius. It is fully booked most weekends. It may not be fine dining like the rest, however, the food is off the charts.
