Taste of Britain Curry Festival takes British curry and Michelin star chef to Kolkata

Ever since Curry Life’s Taste of Britain Curry Festival launched at the 5-star Hyatt Regency Hotel, Kolkata on 23^rd August 2013 it seems diners can’t get enough of curries with a quintessentially British taste. 

The Taste of Britain Curry festival has previously had considerable success in Kolkata – in 2010 at Hotel Hindustan International, customers arrived in their droves for a taste of British curry cuisine. Nevertheless, it is something of a challenge for chefs to impress Bengali diners who are passionate about food and are used to cooking things in a certain way.

Over the course of the ten-day festival our five top curry chefs selected from across the UK are showcasing over 70 signature dishes with a flavour of Great Britain. The dream team of chefs includes Allam Shah Ullah of Sheffield Cutler’s Spice; Jamal Ahmed of the Shozna restaurant in Rochester; Tofozzul Miah from Bayleaf, Barnet in North London and Salim Ahmed Siddique from Raj Bari, Yarm in Stockton on Tees.  At the helm is Chef Partha Mittra, legendary chef at the Snooty Mehmaan restaurant in Faringdon, Oxfordshire.

This year, the festival sees an even more radical approach. Our team also includes Michelin star chef Dominic Chapman of The Royal Oak Paley Street in Berkshire who is championing the cause of traditional British foods. This could be described as a bit of a challenge. Consider this - after more than 200 years of rule by the British Raj, two of the relatively few Anglo culinary traditions adopted by the Indians were fish rissoles and salted beef tongue. From India on the other hand, the British gained their favourite food ever – curry!

Dominic, who recently gave a Masterclass about obtaining a Michelin star at Curry Life’s Chefs seminar, has the singular accolade of once being headhunted by celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal. After working with the great man for several years, Dominic went on to achieve even greater success at The Royal Oak Paley Street a 17th- century pub in Maidenhead, co-owned by Nick Parkinson, son of the well-loved TV personality Michael Parkinson.

This is Dominic’s first trip to India and he sees it as a great opportunity to learn more about Indian food and cooking; working alongside some of the best curry chefs in the business. He's also looking forward to getting out and about in Kolkata to find out more about the street foods and markets in the city.

At the press launch attended by the UK Deputy High Commissioner in Eastern India, Sanjay Wadvani, curious members of the media not only had the chance to test Anglo Indian fusion cuisine such as Chicken Tikka Masala and Lamb Pasanda, they were also served (if it’s not an oxymoron) British Scotch eggs and Lemon Tart.  Let me point out that this was no ordinary Scotch egg – it was a true Michelin star of an egg (quail in fact), slightly runny and surrounded by melt in the mouth minced lamb and crisp breadcrumbs.

Other Anglo Indian signature dishes cooked by the chefs included Shepherd’s Manpasand Pie, Lamb Chops with plum and coriander sauce and Bengal Lancers Shrimp Curry.

Having satisfied the appetites of members of the media, the festival launched on Friday 23^rd August in Hyatt’s prestigious Waterside Restaurant, attended by General Manager Britta Leick-Milde. Chief Guest Stephen Brice, Deputy Head of Mission & Consul Business Development (aka James Bond), cut the ribbon and the festival was underway.  Diners at the Hyatt have been suitably impressed ever since. We’ll let you know how the festival pans out (if you’ll excuse the pun), with recipes and photos.

The Taste of Britain Festival is taking place at The Hyatt Regency Hotel, JA-1, Sector III, Salt Lake City, Kolkata, WB 700098, India

Phone:+91 33 2335 1234