Member Article

Britain’s “curry elite” honoured at awards

The country’s finest curry houses have been honoured at the Bangladesh Caterers Association Awards in London.

Hosted by Tasmin Lucia Khan, of ITV’s Daybreak, the awards celebrated the ‘curry elite’ of the UK.

A thousand guests; including dignitaries, celebrities, and politicians, were present at the night which was filled with a powerful sense of entrepreneurship.

This year’s awards saw the introduction of the BCA Chef of the Year, in recognition of the heavy burden that had been placed on the curry industry and the demands for the accreditation of chefs.

Top honours went to Ipswich’s Maharani Indian Cuisine and owner Mr Talukdar Abdul Khalique.

Mr Bajloor Rashid, The President of Bangladesh Caterers Association who is passionate about both passing on his expertise to a new generation and raising the profile of the UK curry industry.

He said: “We are a community built on the curry industry, with the blood, sweat and tears of manual workers, each of whom were proud to do what they did.

“Perhaps as a nation we need to give our kitchen staff the recognition they deserve and improve the perception and social standing of manual workers.”

Chief guest of the night, Eric Pickles MP, Secretary of State Communities and Local Government, spoke about the successes of the British curry industry.

He said: “Curry may not have been born in Britain, but it’s found a home here.

“With over 12,000 establishments turning over £4.3 billion each year it’s not difficult to see that British curry is a great success story.

“This Government wants to support the industry’s growth and development. I’m delighted to join you as you put the spotlight on the best of the best.

“I congratulate the Bangladeshi Caterers Association on speaking up for you industry for fifty one years, and wish you continued success in the years to come.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .