British Curry Festival at InterContinental Dhaka

The beloved British Curry Festival, which showcases the UK's favourite curry dishes alongside the best of British regional cuisine, is returning to Dhaka after a decade, as announced at a press conference held on 19 October at InterContinental Dhaka. Among those present, were Lord Karan Bilimoria, Ex-President of the British Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a life peer of the UK House of Lords; Atiqur Rahaman, Managing Director, Bangladesh Services Limited; Sheikh Mohammad Maroof, Additional Managing Director, City Bank; Frances Jacks, Director of Communications, British High Commission; Syed Belal Ahmed, Editor, Curry Life Magazine; Syed Nahas Pasha, Chief Editor, Curry Life Magazine; and Ashwani Nayar, General Manager, InterContinental Dhaka.

Organized jointly by InterContinental Dhaka and Curry Life Magazine UK, the globe-trotting Festival was held for the first time in Dhaka in 2001, with the last occurrence of it in Dhaka being in 2011. Now, the festival is returning more than a decade later. The festival began on 21 October at the luxury hotel's "Elements – All Day Dining" restaurant for buffet dinner, and continue until 26 October.

Over the last two decades, the British Curry Festival has taken the best British curry experience across Europe to Asia, showcasing the chefs' talent on a global stage. This year, the festival features Michelin Star Chef Dominic Chapman, who is the storied Head Chef and Patron of The Beehive restaurant in Berkshire (the Michelin Star is awarded to restaurants for outstanding food and service, based on quality and consistency). Having travelled the world and worked with several Michelin Starred Chefs, Chapman is well acquainted with the rich and complex flavours of international cuisines. Alongside The Beehive, where he has been since 2014, Chapman recently acquired the Michelin-star gastropub The Crown at Burchetts Green, Berkshire. Chapman's arrival in Dhaka marks the first time a Michelin Star Chef has visited Bangladesh.

Alongside Chapman is an impressive cohort of 5 more award-winning curry chefs: Chef Jamal Uddin Ahmed, owner of the Shozna, Kent; Jafor Solim Uddin of the Maidenhead's The Fat Buddha; Syed Zohurul Islam, Executive Chef at The Capital, Durham; Chef Utpal Kumar Mondal, former Executive Chef of Hotel Hindustan International; and Chef Moloy Halder, Executive Chef of Specialty Groups.

Curry is Britain's favourite dish. In fact, the British curry industry is thriving; there are an estimated 12,000 curry houses in Britain. Of these, 90 per cent of restaurants are operated by chefs of Bangladeshi origin. The British Curry Festival, conceived of by brothers Syed Belal Ahmed and Syed Nahas Pasha of Curry Life Magazine UK, captures the delectable essence of this most universal of delicacies as it travels throughout the world.

The title sponsor of the British Curry Festival 2022 in Dhaka is City Bank — American Express; Halda Valley is the co-sponsor whilst InterContinental Dhaka is the hospitality partner. This delicious buffet can be experienced for Tk 7,500 per person. Buy One Get One offer is applicable with selected bank cards.