CURRY king Ajmal Mushtaq is flying the flag for healthy Indian cuisine with Britain's top celebrity chefs this weekend.

The award-winning Hamilton chef will give masterclasses alongside James Martin, Brian Turner, The Hairy Bikers and MasterChef's John Torode and Gregg Wallace, as foodies descend on the SECC for the BBC Good Food Show Scotland.

The three-day event, from today, showcases the best of Scotland's food, drinks and hospitality industries.

Mr Mushtaq, 37, is keen to demonstrate that the Indian cooking passed down by his great-grandmother isn't about kormas and calories.

He said: "I want to dispel the myth that Indian food is unhealthy – it's actually very healthy, if it's done right.

"I don't use any ghee, no artificial flavourings, nothing out of a jar, nothing out of a tin. I use natural ingredients the way it was hundreds of years ago in India. The flavours are much better."

The Scottish food festival is being opened by Great British Bake Off judges Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry.

Highlights include celebrity chefs showing off their recipes in the 600-seater 'supertheatre', stalls set up by speciality food suppliers and a chance to try regional produce in tutored tastings.

Ajmal is appearing for a third time at the BBC event, which also features fellow Scottish culinary stars such as Tom Kitchin, John Quigley and Jacqueline O'Donnell.

He will cook live on the Love Food Hate Waste Stage today at 12.30pm, tomorrow at 1.15pm and 3.15pm, and on Sunday at 1.30pm.

He said: "It's a great line-up. You've got some really interesting personalities, some seasoned professionals, you've got some new chefs."

The chef director of Mushtaqs, in Almada Street in the Lanarkshire town, was Chef of the Year at last year's Scottish Curry Awards.

The former management consultant, who has degrees in law, finance and accounting from Glasgow University gave up a lucrative career in London three years ago.

The chef, who has 40 staff, added: "I realised I was in the wrong job and I should be doing what I truly love."

l For tickets, visit www.bbcgoodfoodshow.com or call 0844 581 1362.