Indian food initiative supported by Chor Bizarre dinner
A government-backed, industry-led initiative to train UK chefs and food professionals in Indian cuisine has received the stamp of approval from top London-based Indian restaurant Chor Bizarre this week after the fine dining site hosted a dinner intended to raise funds for the scheme.
Implemented by the British government in association with the Asian Restaurant Skill Board, the initiative aims to encourage education in Indian methods and food via apprenticeships and dedicated training courses.
Many well-known figures attended the event, including chairman of the Asian Restaurant Skills Board Iqbal Wahhab OBE, who is founder of Tandoori Magazine, Vivek Singh's The Cinnamon Club and Borough Market-based Roast. Asian-British film Bend It Like Beckham director Gurinder Chadha, and the Maharani of Jaipur, also attended.
Based in Mayfair, Chor Bizarre is owned by Old World Hospitality, whose Chairman Rohit Khattar said he was "delighted to partner" with the Skills Board.
He said: "It is difficult for restaurants in the UK to bring in chefs from India due to the strict immigration policies, however with the launch of the new initiative we have been able to fill a much needed hole in our business, and give someone from the UK the opportunity to prosper and learn in the workplace at a time when jobs are hard to come by."
The scheme also aims to support young people in finding employment and to help recognise how important Indian food is to Britain and its £3.6bn curry industry. Chor Bizarre has taken on two apprentices as part of the initiative.