Curry Industry association celebrates its 50th anniversary
Thursday 1st July

The Bangladesh Caterers’ Association (BCA), the UK’s only pressure group for the nation’s burgeoning curry industry, is this year celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of its formation and the 200th year since the first ever curry restaurant (the Hindoostane Coffee House) was established. On Thursday 1st July 2010, the BCA celebrated the launch of a six-month long program of activities - the launch event was held at the Bengal Clipper restaurant in Butler's Wharf, London. Speaking at the event, Bajloor Rashid, President of BCA, said, “we established the curry industry, with hundreds of thousands of jobs created and billions added to the Treasury. Now it is the government’s responsibility to preserve it.”

Other esteemed guest speakers and influential supporters attending the event included HE Mr. Allama Siddiki, Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh, Ms Rushanara Ali, the first ever Bangladeshi MP, Ms Ann Main MP, Chair of the Conservative & All Party Parliamentary Group on Bangladesh, Keith Best MP and Lord Bilimoria.

HE Mr. Allama Siddiki: “We were once defeated by the East India Company in 1757, but we’ve now taken sweet revenge, occupying a position in the heart of British gastronomy. Bangladesh may be poor in terms of material development but it is hugely rich in culture. Curry represents that richness of Bangladesh.”

Ms Rushanara Ali: “We’re all making history together. As the first British Bangladeshi MP, I hope this is the beginning of our presence in public life. My father came to Britain in the 60’s during the labour shortage. He worked in Claridges, as well as in restaurants. The British Bangladeshi catering industry is the backbone of our community and the springboard of success for future generations.”

Lord Bilimoria: “2010 is a very special year for three reasons: the 200th anniversary of curry in this country; the 20th anniversary of Cobra Beer in this country; and of course the 50th anniversary of BCA. If you can just imagine what this industry has achieved, going into every town, village and city as pioneer entrepreneurs, and has also put back. This immigration community has enriched the country.”

The work of BCA is more significant than ever before at the current time, in light of Home Secretary Theresa May’s announcement this week that immigration from non-EU countries will be capped. This will severely impact UK’s curry industry which relies on chefs and skilled workers from Bangladesh and India. Facing the toughest adversity, the BCA and its members work tirelessly together to preserve the curry industry’s inner strength and resources and continue to provide the UK’s millions of visitors and neighbouring residents with an excellent experience both inside the restaurants and the surrounding communities.

About the Bangladesh Caterers’ Association (BCA)

The BCA represents 12,000 British-Bangladeshi restaurants across the UK and was established in 1960 to represent the catering Industry run by the ethnic Bangladeshis. At present, the industry employs more than 100,000 people, mostly Bangladeshi in origin, with an estimated yearly turnover of £4 billion. Events to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary include a nationwide roadshow highlighting the stronghold of the UK curry industry as well as the annual BCA Awards 2010, a prestigious event which aims to uncover the most outstanding Asian restaurants at this year’s awards ceremony, which take place in October 2010.

Top