Competition heats up for Milton Keynes Nando's griller as she secures place in UK and Ireland final

Local Nando’s chef Swathi Mulagani is preparing to compete in the UK final, next month in Birmingham, in a bid to represent the UK in the final showdown.

The competition takes place every year to celebrate and test the skill behind Nando’s signature peri-peri chicken.

Each country, which has a Nando’s restaurant, whittles down their very best grillers and one from each goes head to head to battle it out in a final grill-off.

Garry Duncan, Operations Director of Nando’s UK and Ireland, said: “Congratulations to Swathi and the other UK and Ireland finalists. Reaching this final is a huge achievement and something to be very proud of. The skill level and passion shown from all our competitors has been incredible.”

The UK and Ireland leg of the competition has involved over 480 restaurant heats, 30 quarter-final heats and six semi-finals to reach the ultimate UK final. Each electrifying round tests the griller’s technical skill, passion and knowledge of what makes the tastiest peri-peri chicken.

The winner and runners-up will head to the International Final in Botswana later this year.

Garry continued: “The Grillers’ Challenge is so much more than a competition. It celebrates what make’s Nando’s unique and puts our famous peri-peri chicken in the spotlight whilst honouring our Southern African roots. This competition also gives us an opportunity to celebrate the amazing talent within our teams on a global stage, whilst igniting ambition and broadening horizons.”