National Curry Week

From 4th to 10th October 2021, it is time to celebrate the 23rd National Curry Week. Whether you head out to a local restaurant or cook up a storm at home, pass the poppadom and enjoy some delicious food that is second to naan!

A Staple of the High Street

It has been said that curry is the new national dish of Great Britain. Since the 70s, curry houses and restaurants dedicated to this Indian cuisine have become a staple of the high street, with millions of curries consumed each week. The love affair with this versatile offering shows no signs of slowing.

National Curry Week was founded by the late Peter Grove; a prominent journalist who loved curry. His vision was driving awareness and encouraging appreciation of the Indian restaurant industry. The first National Curry Week took place in October 1998.

To this day, the three core objectives of National Curry Week honour Peter’s vision:

• Appreciate, enjoy and spread awareness of the nation’s favourite cuisine
• Celebrate and support the Indian Restaurant Industry
• Raise money for poverty-focused food charities

Curry Tit Bits

• The origin of the word ‘curry’ comes from ‘kari’, which is the Tamil word for ‘spiced sauce’.
• The earliest known curry was made in Mesopotamia in around 1700BC.
• Spices used in curry can help combat heart attacks and strokes. They can extend blood coagulation times, preventing harmful blood clots.
• Over 70,000 people are employed in over 9,000 Indian curry restaurants throughout the UK. There are more Indian restaurants in London than there are in Bombay and Delhi combined.

Riwaz – Atul Kochhar

The Pantiles is delighted to be welcoming twice Michelin-starred chef Atul Kochhar and his newest restaurant Riwaz to The Pantiles later this year. The pioneering restaurateur, who hails from East India, will be taking over the former Woods unit. Atul, who appears regularly on TV, is credited with changing the way people perceive and enjoy Indian food in the UK.

Atul earned his first Michelin star at Tamarind – one of the first Indian restaurants in the world to receive the accolade – which it holds to this day.

We’re excited to experience a variety of Indian cuisine, including curry, when Riwaz opens! Refer to our social media pages and website for further updates.

Kirthon

Kirthon, located at 60 The Pantiles, is the perfect venue to satiate curry cravings this week. With innovative menus using the highest quality ingredients, their menus are overbrimming with traditional Indian food, served in a contemporary setting.

Chef’s Recommendations at Kirthon include:

Moglai Murgh – Pieces of chicken breast marinated in yoghurt, ginger and garlic and cooked with whole garam masala and ground cashews, almonds, fresh cream and saffron.

Jhinga Mullee – King prawns cooked in coconut milk with grated ginger, garlic, red and green chillies and lemon juice, cooked to your individual taste.

Kashmiri Rogon Josh – Succulent lamb in yoghurt with tomatoes and spices cooked in a Kashmiri style.

Panir Makani – Homemade cottage cheese sauteed with onion and green pepper, tossed in a rich tomato and herb sauce.

The Kirthon restaurant is open for dining from 6pm to 11pm, Sunday to Thursday and 5.30pm to 11.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Kirthon is also open for takeaway and deliveries every day from 4pm to 10pm.

To order online, click here.

Homemade Curry

If you like the idea of making your own curry this week, head to The Pantiles to stock up on all you need to make a mouth-watering dish.

Oliver Greens and The Zero Waste Company have a selection of fresh and local vegetables, along with herbs and spices, that can be added to any curry meal.

And Trevor Mottram’s cookware shop is a haven of heavenly delights for curry cooks. From pans to pepper grinders and aprons to tableware, making a curry in a hurry is a cinch!

To find out more about The Pantiles’ food stores, eateries, cafes and bars, click here.