Curry champion aged 103, says hot food is a dish best served for the old

A 103 year-old great-grandmother from Dundee, nicknamed ‘the nan who loves naan’ has been crowned Curry Lover of the Year.

Yes, the secret to good health and a very long life is hot curries says Margaret Phillips who lives at Bupa’s Balcarres care home in Dundee and won the curry lover title at the Scottish Curry Awards.

Born in Dundee in 1912, the great-grandmother of 16’s love affair with hot curries began in India, where she lived for 15 years.

Marrying her second husband in Bombay (now Mumbai), Margaret Philips honeymooned at the Taj Mahal Palace and Towers hotel.

Thanks to the medicinal benefits of ingredients like turmeric, cumin, garlic and ginger, curry can be good for you. When asked to name her favourite curry, Margaret says the dish she most loves is prawn madras.

Over the years, the great-grandmother of 16 cultivated her passion for Indian cuisine by serving up spicy dishes to family and friends.

Margaret’s daughter, Jacqueline, said: “She certainly makes a mean curry and before she moved to Balcarres, she was famous within the family for her curry suppers, which she would hold on a regular basis.

“The whole family is thrilled that she has won. It was a huge surprise when she was initially nominated, but we honestly cannot think of anyone more deserving of the Curry Lover of the Year title. “We would like to thank everyone who voted for her. It’s a very special achievement and the whole family is incredibly proud of her.”

Margaret triumphed over the competition, beating seven other nominees to secure the title of Curry Lover of the Year at the Scottish Curry Awards 2016 on 4 April.

Margaret's grandson attended the awards on her behalf. To mark the occasion, staff at Balcarres care home hosted a curry night, dishing up fiery Indian dishes.

“It’s all very exciting” said Lynn McLean, home manager at Bupa’s Balcarres care home, one of 30 Bupa care homes in Scotland and 300 care homes across the UK. “As she is turning 104 this summer, she is unfortunately unable to get out and about as much as she used to, so wasn’t able to attend the ceremony, but we think the curry night will be a fantastic alternative, and something a little bit different for all the residents to enjoy."