A West Wickham chef has been crowned lord of the spice after winning Chef of the Year 2014.

Abdul Hay, 38, head chef at Indian restaurant iNaga, was voted one of the best curry chefs nationally. 

Mr Hay has been head chef at the restaurant, in Croydon Road, for just over a year.

Commenting on the win, he said: "I've never won anything before and I'm over the moon. It means the world to me I'm so proud; it makes me want to do more."

Starting cooking from the age of 16, Mr Hay put his enthusiasm and success down to his older brother, who is also a chef.

He added: "I always wanted to be a chef, my brother has a restaurant and I learnt most of my trade through him.

"When I told him I'd won he was surprised! He's very happy, but because he's my older brother he says he's trying to beat me now."

Mr Hay put his popularity down to the special dishes they serve, not available in other restaurants.

A fan of spice, he added: "I make my own spices and I do a lot of chef specials which you can't get anywhere else."

One such dish, the Chicken Naga Naga, contains the naga chilli - the hottest in the world.

Not the most popular on the menu, however, Mr Hay joked: "Not a lot of people order it! Sometimes customers do have it though, and we have to bring them water."

After winning the award, Mr Hay and manager Abdul 'Harry' Harun, confirmed they may branch out into new dishes, such as tandoori trout.

Mr Harun, 39, who has managed the eatery for four years, said: "We're really proud of him. We feel wonderful, not just me but the whole team."

One of 33 chefs to win the Curry Life's top accolade, he picked up his award at a star studded ceremony in London on October 19, receiving a giant commemorative plate.

Now hanging pride of place in the restaurant, Mr Harun stated: "We will guard it with our life!"

Not to be outdone, however, Mr Hay ensured that despite his wife, Begum, asking him to cook more often her culinary skills were still the best.