Curry on Darling

Following on from the phenomenal success of the Annual Dinner 2007 and last year’s awards ceremony, the founders of the Bangladesh Caterers’ Association (BCA) UK Ltd – the umbrella organisation representing around 12,000 Bangladeshi restaurants and takeaways in the UK, are proud to present the Bangladesh Caterers’ Association Annual Dinner taking place on Sunday 16 November 2008 at Hilton Park Lane, London, hosted by BBC News Presenter Tasmin Lucia Khan.

Tasmin says: ‘‘The Curry restaurant scene is feeling the pinch of the country's financial woes, as is the entire hospitality industry, with restaurateurs struggling to cope with higher costs and emptier tables. But there have been some incredible survival and success stories, even during these difficult times which the Awards will highlight. This just shows the resilient nature of those in the curry industry and their determination to fight to the bitter end to stay in business, for their families and for their customers.’’

The BCA Annual Dinner 2008 will mark the 48th anniversary of the association’s establishment and is revered as the most prestigious awards ceremony of its kind in the UK specifically created to reward the very best of Bangladeshi restaurants that play a significant role in contributing to the nation’s economy and wealth.

The theme for this year’s BCA Awards is ‘Life’s Nice with Spice’. The evening will profile the glorious history of Bangladeshi cuisine, made with aromatic healthy spices and how they have attracted UK curry lovers to learn more about their nutritional value.

BCA president Mr Rashid says, ‘First it was the huge rise in prices for staple ingredients and now that we are going into a recession curry houses are facing financial ruin. Brick Lane is almost deserted these days. We want Mr. Darling to address our issues before these SME’s go belly up and some of these entrepreneurs end up homeless. Huge Corporations get handouts, but what about the SME’s? We need a solution - perhaps a tax break. We want our voices heard’.

Mr Rashid went on to say,“ The BCA Annual Dinner&Award ceremony has gained an iconic status over the past few years and curry leaders across the country eagerly look forward to coming together to enjoy their successes with their fellow colleagues. Given that we will be enjoying golden Jubilee of our organization in two years time, this event gives us a count down effect to that great moment.”

“The ‘Life’s Nice with Spice’ theme helps us to think about the glorious past of Bangladeshi Caterers who introduced these healthy spices more than a century ago that changed the British taste forever.” says Mr N R Khandaker Pasha, the Secretary General of BCA.