The British Curry Festival, which showcases the UK’s favourite curry dishes alongside the best of British regional cuisine, is returning to Dhaka after a decade. The announcement was made at a press conference on October 19, 2022 at InterContinental Dhaka.
Organized jointly by InterContinental Dhaka and Curry Life Magazine UK, the globe-trotting festival was held for the first time in Dhaka in 2001, with the last instalment in Dhaka being in 2011. Now, the festival is returning more than a decade later. The festival will begin tomorrow (October 21, 2022) at the InterContinental Dhaka’s ‘Elements – All Day Dining’ restaurant for buffet dinner, which will continue until October 26.
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Curry is Britain’s favourite dish. There are an estimated 12,000 curry houses in Britain. Of these, 90% of restaurants are operated by chefs of Bangladeshi origin.
Over the last two decades, the British Curry Festival has taken the best British curry experience across Europe to Asia. This year, the festival features Michelin Star Chef Dominic Chapman, who is the storied Head Chef and Patron of The Beehive restaurant in Berkshire (the Michelin Star is awarded to restaurants for outstanding food and service, based on quality and consistency). Having travelled the world and worked with several Michelin Starred chefs, Chapman is well acquainted with the rich and complex flavours of international cuisines. Alongside The Beehive, where he has been since 2014, Chapman recently acquired the Michelin-star gastropub The Crown at Burchetts Green, Berkshire. Chapman’s arrival in Dhaka marks the first time a Michelin Star Chef has visited Bangladesh.
Alongside Chapman is an impressive cohort of 5 more award-winning curry chefs: Chef Jamal Uddin Ahmed, owner of the Shozna, Kent; Jafor Solim Uddin of the Maidenhead's The Fat Buddha; Syed Zohurul Islam, Executive Chef at The Capital, Durham; Chef Utpal Kumar Mondal, former Executive Chef of Hotel Hindustan International; and Chef Moloy Halder, Executive Chef of Specialty Groups.
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Among those present at yesterday’s press conference were Lord Karan Bilimoria, former president of the British Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a life peer of the UK House of Lords; Atiqur Rahaman, Managing Director, Bangladesh Services Limited; Sheikh Mohammad Maroof, Additional Managing Director, City Bank; Frances Jacks, Director of Communications, British High Commission; Syed Belal Ahmed, Editor, Curry Life Magazine; Syed Nahas Pasha, Chief Editor, Curry Life Magazine; and Ashwani Nayar, General Manager, InterContinental Dhaka.
Lord Bilimoria said, “Curry is an essential part of the British way of life. Whether they live in rural or urban areas, government housing or mansions, everyone eats curry, and everyone loves curry. The growth of the industry has been spectacular, emerging from a handful of restaurants in the 1980s to over 12,000 today. Why this curry revolution? The answer is simple: because of the Bangladeshi community, and pioneering Bangladeshi chefs and restaurateurs, in the UK. That’s why it is very important and pertinent that we are here today. Among the doom and gloom that is plaguing us today, be it due to the Ukraine-Russia war, and the numerous crises in energy, labour, and more, this festival is a ray of sunshine amongst all that.”
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He added, “I have felt completely at home since I landed in Bangladesh. It is a pleasure to be here at the InterContinental Dhaka; not only does it have a great history, it is today a phenomenal facility with world-class service comparable to anywhere else in the world.”
Speaking about the British Curry Festival, Robert Chatterton Dickson, British High Commissioner said, “I’m delighted that traditional British curries are being showcased and celebrated in Bangladesh through the week-long British Curry Festival. Curry houses have been a feature of life in the UK for over 200 years, and curry is now a firm British favourite. The UK curry industry was led from the start by enterprising Bengalis, and its continued strength is a great symbol of BritBanglaBondhon.”
During the British Curry Festival at InterContinental Dhaka, Chef Dominic Chapman said, “I’m greatly looking forward to learning about the culture of Bangladesh. I can’t wait to work with the team and have unique culinary experiences. While I will definitely be creating dishes inspired by British recipes, I’m excited to make the best use of the local produce as well. I have learned much from having attended previous editions of the festival, not least how very different ‘British Curry’ is compared to the palates of the subcontinent.”