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Newcastle Indian restaurateur encouraged by Prime Minister’s commitment to curry

The owners of Newcastle’s Raval Indian restuarant scooped North East Indian Restaurant of The Year at the recent ‘Oscars of curry’ where they were encouraged to hear David Cameron recognise the industry’s struggles in maintaining staff.

Avi Malik, who owns the Tyne Bridge situated restaurant, was thrilled to hear the Prime Minister acknowledge the challenges faced by curry restuaranteurs.

Addressing the London awards ceremony, Mr Cameron said: “We will continue to help you get the skilled Asian chefs you need, and we will also work with you to train up the next generation of home-grown chefs.”

The pledge was made in response to growing concern in the industry over the difficulty in brining qualified chefs to the UK, and shortage of training facilties.

Mr Malik believes those words have given a much-needed boost to the UK’s Indian restaurateurs at a challenging time for the industry.

He said: “David Cameron has been to the British Curry Awards previously, but this was his first time as Prime Minister.

“I believe his decision to make a speech, in which he pledged his support for the industry, will change the image of curry in this country forever.

“Our industry contributes an estimated £3.6 billion to the British economy yet we still shy away from promoting ourselves.

“We need to change that. The great British curry is under threat in some areas because many restaurants can’t find skilled staff.

“But the Prime Minister’s support has left me feeling very positive for the future, not just for Raval, but for the industry as a whole.”

Mr Malik also praised the British Curry Awards organiser, Enam Ali, who he said had steered the British curry industry “out of the dark ages.”

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