A POPULAR city tapas bar is calling on its customers to help secure the title of the best in the country.
El Toro in Princes Avenue is flying the flag for the city in the competition run by beer brand Alhambra in Andalusia, southern Spain.
Inspired by the tapas bars of Madrid and Barcelona, the restaurant in west Hull aims to bring the authentic taste of Spain to the city.
It offers a variety of hot and cold tapas, including fish, meat and vegetarian to suit all tastes.
Manager Masud Rana said: "We've been open for about four months and what the business has achieved in that time is fantastic.
"Although other restaurants in Hull serve tapas, we are the only authentic Spanish eatery.
"I'm from Bangladesh but our chefs are Spanish, as well as some of our floor staff, and I've been working in Spanish restaurants for the past nine years.
"When we opened El Toro, we created 12 jobs and it's been very popular with local people."
As well as the tapas, the bar offers a wide choice of quality drinks, wine and cocktails to choose from.
Tapas means "lid" and it is believed to have come about in Andalusia, where plates were placed on top of glasses to stop fruit flies spoiling the sherry.
Masud, 29, of Hull, said popular dishes include prawns, lamb and chicken croquettes.
He said the tapas competition is important for the new business to gain more credibility.
"It would be great for us to win and give something back to the customers," he said.
"We want to get our name out there more and continue to grow the business.
"Our chef, Raul Fernandez, has worked in many cities and in Spain.
"He is very knowledgeable about the country's cuisine and has also worked with a few Michelin-starred chefs.
"He understands what customers in the UK like and often goes to the tables to serve the food himself and talk about how he's cooked it.
"Tapas is very popular in this country now and people in Hull like to try a little bit of everything.
"They will often order about six portions between two people and get to test so many different dishes.
"People love our food and have given us some fantastic feedback about the service."
The final winner, along with regional winners, will be announced on Saturday, October 12, Spain's National Day.
Voters will be entered into a monthly prize draw to win a £100 restaurant voucher and the winning restaurant will receive £2,000.
Visit facebook.com/CervezasAlhambraUK to vote for El Toro.
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