Minister Pledges Support To Curry Sector

The 16th National Curry Week takes place all over Britain from 7 - 13 October to celebrate Britain 's 'national dish' and raise money for charities concentrating on the malnourished and poverty stricken.

Curry is enjoyed on a regular basis by 23 million people in Britain and is used as a focus for business meeting, celebrations, social functions, that Friday night out as a very important and enjoyable source of nutrition. It has been increasingly popular since the first published recipe in 1747 and the first Indian restaurant in 1809. It even boasts health benefits from lowering blood pressure and helping prevent cancer to slowing dementia depending on the type of dishes you choose.

Curry is enjoyed by people from all walks of life making it a great common denominator and topic of conversation such that even the House of Commons has its own curry club.

16th National Curry Week sponsored by Patak's, Sainsbury's and hungryhouse.co.uk once again asks people to think of the less fortunate whilst enjoying a week of fun, food and frolics ranging from Poppadomathons to attempts at eating challenges and other world records. Full information can be found on www.nationalcurryweek.co.uk.

Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government said "It gives me great pleasure to know that National Curry Week continues to promote our nation's favourite food whilst raising money for charity. Britain just wouldn't be the same without the colour and vibrancy of Asian restaurants up and down the country. Let's celebrate the immense contribution of the Asian Cuisine industry to our country's economy and culture. We support the sector to ensure that Britain remains one of the best places in the world for our aspiring chefs to train."

Peter Grove, founder and organiser of the event, on behalf of The Federation of Specialist Restaurants said "Curry is now very much part of the British way of life whether it be enjoyed in the restaurant or at home and it is right that it should be celebrated by curry lovers in their hundreds of thousands all over the country each year."

ENDS

For information:
Peter Grove groveint@aol.com Tel : 020 8399 4831

NB : Mr Grove is founder of National Curry Week and a curry expert and food historian having written several books on the subject and is available for interviews.