Curry festival gives spice to regional food industry
YORKSHIRE’S food industry has been given a boost following the launch of the region’s first World Curry Festival.
Zulfi Karim, who has spearheaded the organisation of the festival, believes the three day event will promote Yorkshire as a global leader in food production and help improve the supply chain between producers and restaurants.
Mr Karim, who was one of the leading figures behind the annual Bollywood film awards coming to Yorkshire, said: “The WCF will be a major event celebrating international food and the businesses which support it.
“It will bring with it real vibrancy, diversity as well as business opportunities. The event will deliver an eclectic blend of inspired activities and interactive experiences in the areas of food, music, arts and culture to give everyone the ultimate feel good factor.
“There is nothing like this anywhere and we want show why the UK should be the curry capital of the world. We have an amazing array of talent in this country and we plan to celebrate not just Indian and Kashmiri curries but Chinese, Thai, Malay, South American and African.”
The three day event, which was launched yesterday and will take place between October 1 and 3, will be held in Leeds Millennium Square.
Mr Karim said the WCF marked an important milestone as it will also celebrate the 200th anniversary of the curry arriving on British shores.
As well as a bespoke cooking theatre for the chefs appearing at the event, the WCF will include a 100 seater restaurant, curry souk & street food, taster tents and curry-making classes for the enthusiast.
The first day of the festival will be devoted as a business day, and will include community events throughout the morning attended by local groups and schools.
Business networking will take place during the afternoon, followed by a corporate entertainment evening including a meal created by guest chef Hemant Oberoi, executive grand chef of The Taj Mahal Palace in India.
The WCF is being backed by Change 4 Life, Welcome to Yorkshire, BusinessLink, Focus on Food and Schofield Sweeney Solicitors.
Schofield Sweeney partner, Adam Hastie, said: “When Zulfi Karim first presented the idea of the World Curry Festival, we immediately felt that it was an important event that would appeal to a wide range of communities through a shared love of curry and the culture that surrounds it.
“It will be a wonderful event and we’re delighted to be associated with it now and in years to come.”
