A Take on History: How Brits Came to Love Indian Cuisine

Although Chinese cuisine have recently been taking ground as one of the most loved ethnic cuisine in Britain, British beer-and-curry weekends are not going anywhere. Britons’ love affair with curry is dug way too deep into the roots of history for it to be displaced in a snap. No doubt, Indian curry is the comfort food of millions of Brits, and its popularity goes back almost four hundred years ago.

When Queen Elizabeth I Said Yes

At the dawn of the 17^th century, London merchants decided it would be a worthy undertaking to cross the Indian Ocean to see if they can trade with an exotic land called India. They formed a joint-stock company called the East India Company, the sole purpose of which was to establish trade with the East Indies. They filed a petition to Queen Elizabeth I for permission to set sail, and on 1600 the petition was granted and a royal charter was bestowed upon it. 

Amidst wars against Portuguese and Spanish forces, the company hadmanaged to become the most powerful and dominating trading corporation in India. This further strengthened Britain as a world power. Soon after, British people settled in India and intermarried with Indian women. Indian seamen, known as langars, also boarded British ships and landed in London. By 1810 there were an estimated 1400 langarson English land, and more Indians entered the country in the following years.

Brit’s Spicy Tastes 

It was not long before Brits took an interest in Indian cuisine. Curry powder was particularly popular even back then, leading to the publication of recipes and commercial production of curry powder in 1780. The Coffee House in Norris Street, Haymarket, Londonwas the first English restaurant to have offered curry on a menu in 1773. 

The first ever establishment that offered solely Indian food, however, was the Hindostanee Coffee House at Portman Square, London which opened in 1809. Owned by Dean Mahomet, the restaurant sought to provide “for the entertainment of Indian gentlemen, where they may enjoy the Hoakha, with real Chilm tobacco, and Indian dishes”. 

Since then, the love for Indian cuisine spread across the country, becoming one of the fastest growing food and drinkindustry sector. This exponential growth was partlytriggered in 1984 by Pat Chapman’s The Curry Club and Good Curry Guide, which publicised the cuisine and caused supermarkets to stock curry ingredients and chilled meals. Other publications also taught how to recreate curries at home. Asian cateringLondon, particularly Indian and Chinese catering, also boomed around this time. 

Indian Cuisine Today

Bangladesh is entered the catering industry around 1970, and since then dominated the industry of Indian wedding catering London. They own approximately 65 to 75% of the more than 9000 Indian restaurants in the country.

Chicken tikka masala is now often cited as the nation’s most favourite ethnic dish, even called by the then foreign secretary Robin Cook as “a true British national dish”. With the popularity of Indian foods, Bangladeshis will remain as top Asian caterers London.

Colonial relations play a huge role in Britain’s love for curry, and the dish will continue to represent a rich historical era when Britain dominated the world’s economic and political affairs.

A Take on History: How Brits Came to Love Indian Cuisine

Although Chinese cuisine have recently been taking ground as one of the most loved ethnic cuisine in Britain, British beer-and-curry weekends are not going anywhere. Britons’ love affair with curry is dug way too deep into the roots of history for it to be displaced in a snap. No doubt, Indian curry is the comfort food of millions of Brits, and its popularity goes back almost four hundred years ago.

When Queen Elizabeth I Said Yes

At the dawn of the 17^th century, London merchants decided it would be a worthy undertaking to cross the Indian Ocean to see if they can trade with an exotic land called India. They formed a joint-stock company called the East India Company, the sole purpose of which was to establish trade with the East Indies. They filed a petition to Queen Elizabeth I for permission to set sail, and on 1600 the petition was granted and a royal charter was bestowed upon it. 

Amidst wars against Portuguese and Spanish forces, the company hadmanaged to become the most powerful and dominating trading corporation in India. This further strengthened Britain as a world power. Soon after, British people settled in India and intermarried with Indian women. Indian seamen, known as langars, also boarded British ships and landed in London. By 1810 there were an estimated 1400 langarson English land, and more Indians entered the country in the following years.

Brit’s Spicy Tastes 

It was not long before Brits took an interest in Indian cuisine. Curry powder was particularly popular even back then, leading to the publication of recipes and commercial production of curry powder in 1780. The Coffee House in Norris Street, Haymarket, Londonwas the first English restaurant to have offered curry on a menu in 1773. 

The first ever establishment that offered solely Indian food, however, was the Hindostanee Coffee House at Portman Square, London which opened in 1809. Owned by Dean Mahomet, the restaurant sought to provide “for the entertainment of Indian gentlemen, where they may enjoy the Hoakha, with real Chilm tobacco, and Indian dishes”. 

Since then, the love for Indian cuisine spread across the country, becoming one of the fastest growing food and drinkindustry sector. This exponential growth was partlytriggered in 1984 by Pat Chapman’s The Curry Club and Good Curry Guide, which publicised the cuisine and caused supermarkets to stock curry ingredients and chilled meals. Other publications also taught how to recreate curries at home. Asian cateringLondon, particularly Indian and Chinese catering, also boomed around this time. 

Indian Cuisine Today

Bangladesh is entered the catering industry around 1970, and since then dominated the industry of Indian wedding catering London. They own approximately 65 to 75% of the more than 9000 Indian restaurants in the country.

Chicken tikka masala is now often cited as the nation’s most favourite ethnic dish, even called by the then foreign secretary Robin Cook as “a true British national dish”. With the popularity of Indian foods, Bangladeshis will remain as top Asian caterers London.

Colonial relations play a huge role in Britain’s love for curry, and the dish will continue to represent a rich historical era when Britain dominated the world’s economic and political affairs.

Wedding Catering Ideas

A wedding is a very special event in one’s life. The reception that follows is where the celebration continues, and where many memorable moments take place. Though it’s not a requirement to spend a huge amount of money on your reception, it is important is that you get the kind of reception you want and ensure a comfortable, memorable experience for you and your guests. Here are some wedding catering ideas 

Tented wedding reception 

Wedding receptions, especially outdoor receptions, are held in the garden or lawn of a sprawling private property that can accommodate anywhere between 50-250 guests. If you have a small party, your caterer can set up in the kitchen of the venue. For larger receptions, one option you might want to look into is a caterer’s tent. Usually, it is set up right next to the wedding marquee. A generator may be required the meet the demands of professional catering. The caterer may also provide the furniture, table linens, cutlery, and crockery. The selection of items used would depend on the host’s budget and preference. 

Spring wedding catering 

Spring represents rebirth, beginnings, and everything green and thriving. It’s a romantic season that opens up many possibilities for infusing creativity into your wedding reception planning. Build a menu based on the mood of the season and highlight fresh seasonal produce. A mix salad would be perfect as an appetizer. Traditionally, asparagus is used in spring weddings. You can use it in many ways—as a side dish, as an ingredient in soup, or cooked and prepared as an appetizer. 

Summer wedding catering 

Summer weddings are widely popular. The pleasant weather and the availability of a variety of food may just be some of the reasons why a lot of people love to have summer weddings. When it comes to menu, the possibilities are endless—you can go for barbecues, surf and turf, classic summer fare, or even exotic dishes if you want. Grilled meats and vegetables are a hit as well as refreshing salads. Ice cream and other frozen desserts would win your guests over as well as a never-ending supply of cool drinks. 

Winter wedding catering 

Summer weddings may be popular, but there is ample opportunity to make a winter wedding as romantic and magical. You can apply this to the choice of venue and scenery, décor, as well as the menu. The chilly weather is perfect for hot, hearty soups to warm your guests, and bright, zesty salads that remind one of summer. Winter is also perfect for classic pairings and hearty roast meats like pork, beef, or turkey paired with side dishes like creamy mashed potatoes and roasted seasonal vegetables. You may continue the classic pairing with desserts like bread pudding.  

Asian wedding catering 

If you’re having an Asian-themed wedding, it’s a given that your menu would also be Asian-inspired. Asian weddings have become popular in recent years, as well as Asian cuisine in the catering industry. In the UK in particular, Asian catering London is trending, and Asian wedding caterers London are aplenty. Asian caterers London specialise in providing a wide range of dishes and cuisines representing different regions in Asia. Popular choices are traditional and modern dishes from India, China, Japan, and Southeast Asian nations. Your guests would appreciate the diversity and availability of food that’s different from what they usually have.