Crème of UK Curry Industry crowned at British Curry Awards 2015
The UK’s favourite cuisine was once again celebrated at the 11th, annual British Curry Awards on 30th November 2015 at Battersea Evoution, London. The industry at large, foodies, celebrities, MP’s and dignitaries collectively paid homage to the nation’s finest curry restaurants at one of the most lauded events of the UK hospitality sector.
Guests included GBBO runner-up, Tamal Ray; Rt Hon Nicky Morgan MP; Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP; actress Laila Rouass; Adil Ray (Citizen Khan); Eastenders actor Nitin Ganatra; celebrity restaurateur, Prue Leith CBE; Channel 4 News presenter, Krishnan Guru-Murthy; TV personalities, Stephen Mulhern, Lizzie Cundy and Casey Bachelor; The Apprentice contestant Sanjay Sood Smith; broadcaster Zillur Rahman; Ann Main MP, Sharon Hodgson MP and Paul Scully MP. The event was hosted by BBC newsreader, Jane Hill.
The British Curry Awards 2015 continue to honour the achievements of the nation’s most popular culinary genre in the face of increasing operational challenges. 90 per cent of the UK curry industry’s 12,000 restaurants are currently affected by the ongoing and crippling shortage of chefs, which is seeing an average of two curry restaurant closures each week. The industry is worth £4.2bn and employs more than 100,000 staff in the UK, creating a problem of major economic significance. Without drastically needed change, curry restaurants will be eroded from British life in the same way that local pubs continue to be.
The primary contributing factor to the crisis is the government’s immigration policy, which requires skilled workers from outside the EU to earn £29,570, while curry chef salaries are typically closer to £25,000. Visa applications are often refused and the shortages are the main reason why two curry restaurants are closing every week.
British Curry Awards founder, restaurateur and editor of trade publication, Spice Business, Enam Ali MBE has been promoting the British curry industry globally for the past 30 years and has been lobbying the UK government to implement a major review as current legislation continues to impact the industry. He says: “The UK curry industry continues to contribute a phenomenal amount to the UK economy despite the challenges it still faces due to staffing issues derived from immigration policy. But as Prime Minister David Cameron himself addressed at British Curry Awards in 2013, he recognises the commitment that needs to be made to this lucrative industry in the face of adversity.”
A solution would be the introduction of short-term work visas for experienced staff from the Subcontinent to plug the curry chef shortage that is forcing closures across the country. Enam Ali MBE continues, “We urge the Government to help our industry and we strongly recommend that the immigration laws covering bringing in chefs from abroad be made, even on a temporary basis, more adequately flexible. One suggestion would be short-term visas, similar to Germany, the US and the Middle East, where they have to leave the country after their term. There would be no burden at all on the welfare system or the taxpayers.”
British Curry Awards 2015: Winners
Casual Dining – Dabbawal
London City – Cinnamon Club
London Suburbs – Green Spice
Midlands – Pushkar
Newcomer – Calcutta Club
North East – Aagrah Leeds
North West – The Viceroy In Carlisle
Personality of The Year – Reza Mahammad
Scotland – Karma – Scotland
South East – Shampan at The Spinning Wheel
South West – Spice Lodge
Takeaway – The Chilli Pickle
Wales – Sheesh Mahal
