Asian Catering Federation to Launch Curry Guide and Awards at House of Lords
Asian Catering Federation to Launch New Curry Guide and Awards at House of Lords
The Asian Catering Federation will launch a new curry guide and awards at the House of Lords, criticizing delivery platforms for harming hospitality. They urge direct orders and healthier dining habits.
The Asian Catering Federation (ACF) is set to unveil a new curry guide and present awards at the prestigious House of Lords. This event comes amid the Federation’s criticism of restaurant takeaway delivery platforms, which they argue are damaging the hospitality sector and High Street commerce.
Chef Binod Baral, an ACF committee member and Goodwill Ambassador for the Gurkha Centre in London, highlighted the issue: “Delivery companies prefer a single dark kitchen cooking various cuisines over multiple high street restaurants.”
As retail moves online and abandons High Street locations, hospitality businesses have become vital for drawing customers to town centers. However, with soaring costs and a cost-of-living crisis, many bustling High Streets now feature boarded-up windows and ‘To Let’ signs.
Rajesh Suri, a former restaurateur and current hospitality consultant, noted: “Delivery service platforms are thriving, but small takeaways and restaurants, burdened with up to 35% commission charges, are closing. This forces owners to compromise on food quality to stay afloat.”
Recently, Just Eat ended its sponsorship of ACF and other hospitality organizations. Although the ACF appreciated Just Eat’s support in raising culinary standards, complaints about high commission charges and a focus on price over quality have grown louder. The Federation now urges customers to order directly from their favorite takeaways.
Health experts also warn of the impact of sedentary lifestyles and the consumption of high-salt, high-sugar takeaway meals. Walking to collect a meal, rather than waiting for delivery, offers health benefits like lowering blood pressure and boosting mental health.
The pandemic forced many fine dining restaurants, like The Cook’s Tale in Canterbury, to start offering takeaways. Owner-chef Dev Biswal explained: “We had to create a new menu and join Just Eat to survive, but the commission took a third of our gross profit margin.”
At the House of Lords awards lunch hosted by Lord Kamall, the ACF will encourage members to take control of their marketing, build customer databases, communicate directly, handle their own orders, and foster customer loyalty.
The Federation will announce the winners of its recent Asian & Oriental Chef Awards live cook-off competition and feature restaurants from its new guide, www.Top100CurryRestaurants.com. Additionally, the event will launch the annual Asian Restaurant Awards in Manchester on August 27th and the Asian Curry Awards in London on November 17th. Spice enthusiasts can nominate their favorites at www.asianrestaurantawards.org and www.asiancurryawards.com.
