Glasgow Curry Week – 2016 – Ambala Deli Bar

On Thursday last week, Hector received an email from Colin at Oceanic-Media. Glasgow’s Lord Provost – Sadie Docherty – had approached Oceanic-Media to create and manage the first ever Glasgow Curry Week (November 14 – 20). Could I meet for Lunch the following Monday with a view to help promoting the great events taking place? That Hector was then en route to Nürnberg complicated matters, it was agreed we would meet on my return.

Ambala Deli Bar (11 Forth St., Glasgow, Scotland, G41 2SP) was chosen by Irfan who was first to greet Hector at 13.30. Parking, as Hector had discovered, near Forth St at the time of Friday Prayers was not easy. By the time Colin arrived, Irfan had already confirmed Hector’s choice – Lamb Handi (£16.99) on-the-bone with a Naan (£2.00) to accompany. We would be sharing this Large Portion. Colin took on board Hector’s recommendation for Karela, however, Chicken Karela (£8.99) was his choice. I would slip into the conversation later that Hector does not consider Chicken as being the best Meat to put in Curry. Controversial no doubt as the majority of the population no doubt eat Chicken Curry. As it would take twenty minutes or more to prepare the Handi, Vegetable Pakora was summoned. Naveed brought this and an array of accompanying Dips with great efficiency. Camera-shy Irfan did add Ketchup. This greatly amused The Hector.

Our conversation was well underway. Introductions gave way to brief histories of our lives and upbringing. In terms of Curry, Hector’s is written here. It is the Pedigree of Curry-Heute which had attracted Oceanic-Media, the company who arrange the Curry Awards around the Nation. The company who have declared Hector as Finalist for Curry Lover of The Year on three occasions, next year, perhaps.

The working plan for Glasgow Curry Week had been sent in advance, even this late it is still a work in progress. Hopefully Hector will be able to locate and attend the events on Tuesday to Thursday, other commitments will restrict my attendance unfortunately. It is an honour to be recognised as a Curry Expert in my home city. There are many who consider ourselves thus, Curry-Heute has probably recorded the detail more than any other Source.

Kids Dine Free

I was told that The Lord Provost had approached Oceanic-Media to get Glasgow back on the Curry Map. Bradford have won the title – Curry Capital of Britain – for the last five years. As the Curry-Heute Homepage has made clear since the birth of this Blog, Bradford became the Yardstick by which Hector judges Curry some twenty years ago. This led me to ask how the Restaurants are judged to win awards.

Is it a case of those who pay the most, win?

Colin admitted that many think this, but assured me otherwise. Apparently the Sponsors of the various Events are given the task to visit the Shortlisted Restaurants. I had to ask about the Criteria, the Venues which I believe serve the Finest Fayre are not chosen to represent Glasgow in National Awards, nor are they likely to win the Top Prize in a Category.

It is not just about the Curry

Restaurants are advised that the Judges will be visiting in advance so that they can provide their Best. Service, Ambience, Facilities and the Food are appraised. Hector will sneak in a mention here about the Desi – Curry Palace which opens a small Dining Area next week. It is in these Curry Cafes where Hector finds the Very Best of Desi Cuisine,  They lack the Ambience, Facilities tend to be Basic, however the Service is well above the norm. One gets to be known very quickly.

Try Something Different – I suggested would be a good motto for a Glasgow Curry Week. I was later sent a Press Release from Just Eat which shows that – Masalas – remain the #1 Choice of Glasgow Diners. That Bhuna and Karahi are fourth and fifth, respectively, gives hope. In time, people may forego the idea of Sauce with Meat in favour of Meat with Sauce. Then we can take on Bradford where Masala is always Minimal. Perhaps we also need to highlight the quality of – Karahi – served in Glasgow? For this, Bradford and Manchester come well after Glasgow IMHO.

The idea of – Kids Eat Free – (from the Kids’ Menu at participating Restaurants) is the message that is being highlighted in this, the first year of Glasgow Curry Week.

The Award Ceremonies I have attended had  Recipients making the Political Point about how difficult it is to acquire work permits for the Best Indian Chefs. Tikka Tuesday – should give those who attend their chance to air this. In Manchester, Dera train their own staff, this must surely be the case across the country.

A Pakora Spoon Race on Wednesday?  This has to be seen.  Hopefully this will happen on Buchanan Street at a time to be confirmed. A chance to visit the Catering College on Thursday is something Hector looks forward to. It was a Curry Course at Anniesland College which really began Hector’s Curry Lust. The Glasgow Curry Week kicks of with the Lord Provost helping to prepare Curry at (Koolba?) a Glasgow City Centre Restaurant.

For Hector, The First – Glasgow Curry Week – has begun

The Pakora was still not finished when Naveed brought the Lamb Handi. Irfan was well at home with this, Hector was glad there was someone to share with. With more Masala than the above referred to – Karahi – this is where the Marrow from the Bones makes all the difference to the Flavour. As Intensely Flavoured as Curry can be, Moderately Spiced and Well Seasoned, this Dish has been shared with a handful of friends since I first discovered Ambala earlier this year. It is most definitely a Winner!  Colin appeared to experience the – Wow – when a Soupçon went his way.

Mein Host, Ahmed, put in appearance, being known to both Hector and Irfan.

This was Colin’s first encounter of Karela. The difference between Karela and Kerala was explained. Bitter Gourd is the best translation to English, Chef does not show restraint. The Karela Dishes are full of this Demanding Vegetable, only Howard and Hector have managed to clean a plate-full, so far.

The Bill

Taken care of.

The Aftermath

Irfan departed, work called. Colin and I continued the conversation. It can be uncanny when one’s path consciously crosses another’s and the many previous overlaps are established.

The farewell – What chance Trump and Scotland winning in the same week?