Spicy honour for 103-year-old Margaret – Dundee’s own ‘nan who loves naan’

AWARD: Indian food lover crowned nation’s curry queen

A 103-year-old great-gran from Dundee who puts her long life down to a love of spicy dishes has been crowned the nation’s curry queen.

Margaret Phillips, a resident at Bupa’s Balcarres care home, was dubbed the ‘nan who loves naan’, thanks to her passion for fine Indian cuisine.

The super-centenarian, who has 16 great-grandchildren, was born in Dundee in 1912, but spent almost 15 years in India with her second husband.

During her stay there, Margaret discovered a love for the spicy meal, and boosted her talents in the kitchen.

Now, Margaret has been named the 2016 Curry Lover of the Year at the Scottish Curry Awards in Glasgow.

Margaret was unable to travel to the awards ceremony on Monday night, but it was picked up by her grandson.

And the 103-year-old will today take centre stage at a special curry-themed party thrown by Balcarres staff.

Speaking yesterday from her Broughty Ferry base, Margaret said: “I’m pleased to have won.

“My favourite curry is a prawn madras and I’m going to have that at the party.

“I have lots and lots of memories from my time in India.”

Margaret’s daughter, Jacqueline, revealed that the family hadn’t expected the initial nomination for the competition let alone the award.

She said: “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 title.”

Pamela Shaw, the care home’s life and events coordinator, works closely with Margaret on a daily basis and insists she has never met anyone like the newly crowned curry queen.

She told The Courier: “Margaret is a remarkable lady.

“One of the very first times I met her she told me she honeymooned in the Taj Mahal, but it was no big deal to her.

“She’s just a loving lady and has a lovely big family. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone quite like her.”