Ethnic restaurant chefs across Britain are to be given the opportunity to learn from the very best in the business, with the launch of the Cobra Beer skills-sharing initiative.
With the ethnic restaurant sector facing a sharp decline in the number of more highly-skilled chefs coming from abroad, Cobra Beer today launches a campaign to give back to this vital community, inviting chefs up and down the country to take part in a comprehensive skills-sharing programme with award-winning chefs, including:
- Alfred Prasad (formerly Tamarind)
- Vivek Singh (The Cinnamon Club & Cinnamon Kitchen)
- Cyrus Todiwala OBE DL (Café Spice Namaste)
- Mehernosh Mody (La Porte des Indes)
- Vineet Bhatia (Vineet Rosi)
- Atul Kochhar (Benares)
Over the coming months, they will be sharing their invaluable knowledge and expertise with hundreds of chefs around the country, focusing on core skills including: understanding ingredients and suppliers; the fundamentals of cooking; menu planning, kitchen organisation; and communication within the restaurant.
More than 250 restaurants have already signed up to the initiative, which was successfully trialled earlier in the year by Alfred Prasad in select restaurants in and around London.
Giving back to the sector
Lord Bilimoria, founder of Cobra Beer, commented:“With the support of some of Britain’s most distinguished restaurateurs, we hope to equip chefs up and down the country with vital knowledge and confidence to produce the highest quality, delicious food that the British people love.
“The ethnic restaurant community has been integral to the success of Cobra Beer, having supported the brand from the outset. We would not be where we are today without their phenomenal support and it is my hope that through this campaign we can give something back to the sector.”
The concept is fantastic – not just on paper
Alfred Prasad, restaurateur & former executive chef at Tamarind collection restaurants, commented:“Firstly we should recognise and thank the very early pioneers and entrepreneurs from the Indian sub-continent who brought Indian cuisine to the UK and laid the foundations of an industry that is now worth nearly £4bn to the exchequer.
“Cobra Beer’s initiative is a brilliant idea to help collaborate, network and bridge the gap between sections of the Indian restaurant industry in the UK. It is focused on the needs of the curry houses and the struggles they are currently experiencing. For some, it is a case of evolving to the next level.
“When I was told about this visionary idea and invited to run the trial programme, I was truly excited. Since March 2015, I have run modules, which proved the concept is fantastic not just on paper. While I have given a lot to my sessions, I have also gained an in-depth understanding of how their business models work and made new friends across the UK. Most importantly, the opportunity to give back to the grassroots of an industry that has brought us much recognition is an extremely rewarding exercise. I feel privileged to join Cobra in helping to make a difference.”
Boosting the ethnic restaurant community
Vivek Singh, restaurateur & chef, The Cinnamon Club & Cinnamon Kitchen, commented: “Growing up in India, incredible food was at the centre of everyday life, and even now is at the heart of my mission with The Cinnamon Club & Cinnamon Kitchen. I wish to inspire the next generation of Indian chefs by highlighting the importance of fresh, seasonal ingredients, combined with both traditional and modern cooking methods. It’s fantastic to imagine what a curious soul, an open mind and a big heart can achieve.
“The Cobra Beer skills-sharing initiative is a fantastic programme to boost the ethnic restaurant community in Britain and I look forward sharing my experiences with the participating chefs over the coming months.”