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CURRYLIFE AWARDS RETURN IN OCTOBER 2021
from 89 CURRY LIFE
Partha Pratim Majumder
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CURRY LIFE MEDIA GROUP will once again host the most eagerly-anticipated event in the British curry industry calendar - the Curry Life Awards. The event returns bigger and better this year, following the cancellation of the 2020 edition, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It will take place on Sunday 10 October and will coincide with the start of National Curry Week. The blacktie event celebrates many aspects of the curry industry, recognising individuals who represent the very best of the British curry industry and who have shown innovation and inspiration in their work. Categories include Best Curry Restaurant, Best Curry Chef, Best Curry Takeaways, Best European Restaurant/Chef, Best Suppliers, Best Innovative Products, Attendees include restaurateurs, chefs and curry industry experts, who gather at the event from all over the UK, with the evening promising to be a glittering celebration of the vibrant UK curry sector. Previous recipients of the awards have spoken about how winning has provided a tremendous boost to their business and their reputation. Mohammed Rahman is owner manager of Blue Tiffin, based in Stoke-on-Trent, which has previously won Curry Life Awards, including Best Restaurant in Staffordshire. “Entering the awards is one of the best things you can do, it really highlights the passion there is for the industry,” says Rahman. “My business pretty much doubled after winning our first award, it had a great impact on our business.” Rahman believes winning an award at this particular time, post Covid-19, would be an even bigger boost for restaurants. “Everything has been much slower post-Covid, and it will take a long time for the industry to recover,” he believes. “Winning an award can help kick start your reputation.”
Shaz Rahman of Blue Tiffin previous Curry Life award winner.
World Curry Expo will serve up a treat Alongside the Awards, World Curry Expo will also be returning. The trade show expects to welcome thousands of suppliers from the curry industry for an unrivalled opportunity to showcase products and services and celebrate the British love for curry. Visitors to the Expo will have the
The Awards include a Gala Dinner Enjoy networking opportunities
chance to taste delicious samples from exporters and exhibitors during the day. The Expo showcases the best of spices, rice, produce importers, wholesalers, curry sauces, pastes, pickles, chutneys, readymade meal suppliers, kitchen equipment and drinks and beverage companies, all offering exclusive deals to visitors.
The expo also provides a platform for suppliers to launch and introduce their products directly to industry stakeholders, interact with potential buyers and forge partnerships with wholesalers. Harjinder Singh Bahra, commercial advisor to recently founded the Indian Restaurant Association of UK, has given his endorsement to the organisers of the World Curry Expo and said: “Curry Life’s extensive experience means we’re better placed than anyone to deliver, safe, inspiring and engaging live events once again. We can trust Curry Life to bring the whole industry back together.” Syed Belal Ahmed, editor of the UK’s most loved curry magazine, Curry Life and the event organiser, said: “This is a good opportunity for those who are looking to expand their businesses and promote their products to Indian and Bangladeshi restaurants, widely known as curry houses. He said: “Bangladesh is celebrating 50 years of its independence as a nation. To keep the guests entertained and mark the occasion at this year’s Awards ceremony and Gala Dinner, we have invited a world-famous celebrity with a difference, Master of Mime from Paris, Partha Pratim Majumder. Partha was born in Bangladesh and trained under the world-famous French actor and mime artist Marcel Marceau. He will be a major attraction to the show.” The World Curry Expo and Curry Life Awards are planned in association with food delivery app company Just Eat and supported by Cobra Beer. This year’s Award Ceremony will be hosted by veteran British journalist and broadcaster Jon Snow. Those interested in nominating a restaurant, takeaway or chef can visit the nomination section of currylifeawards.com and fill in the form. (See inside front cover advert) The Curry Life Awards and Curry World Expo will be taking place on 10 October 2021 at The Royal Lancaster Hotel in central London. The Expo will run during the day, starting at 11am and ending at 5pm, followed by the Awards Ceremony at 6pm. The Awards are invitation-only; entry is also possible with advanced ticket purchases. Please note the Nominated Charity for the event is the British Asian Trust.
Harjinder Singh Bahra (IRAUK)
