Pictured: Mike Gatting 

Asha's, Birmingham's top Indian restaurant, is pulling in the celebrities after recently beating city rivals Itihaas and Lasan at the English Curry Awards.

Former top cricketers Mike Gatting and Sunil Gavaskar, who captained England and India respectively, both dined at the Newhall Street venue during the Edgbaston Test match.

And Asha's hit the right note with Rishi Rich, the British Indian singer and music producer, internationally known for his Bhangra tracks and as a pioneer of Indian-R&B fusion music.

General manager Jai George said: "Being named Birmingham's number one in the English Curry Awards has reinforced our reputation with celebrities, media personalities, footballers, the music industry and the business community.

"They want the best and we give them the best."

Head chef Guneet Singh and his team specialise in bringing a wide ranging taste of India to Birmingham, not just the old favourites such as tikka masala and jalfrezi.

Earlier this year Asha's was used as a location for Britain's Got Talent when the show came to Birmingham.

Launched by Indian singing star Asha Bhosle, it has restaurants in Dubai, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Bahrain as well as Birmingham.

Old friends, financier Paul Bassi and Pawan Kenth, managing director of Corporatewear UK, hold the UK franchise rights.