Administration and workers on the Taj Bar and Kitchen are this week mourning the lack of one of many UK’s biggest curry entrepreneurs – who helped the Prestwick Indian restaurant obtain nationwide fame.
Enam Ali MBE died aged 62 after a two-year battle with most cancers.
Ali based the annual British Curry Awards in 2005 which was described because the “Curry Oscars” by former Prime Minister David Cameron.
In 2012, The Taj was named one of the best restaurant in Scotland on the awards in entrance of 1,500 business friends.
The glittering occasion included a video message from then PM Mr Cameron and a written word from Her Majesty the Queen.
For Taj proprietor Bobby Singh, it was one of many biggest nights of his life.
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He recalled: “The entire household went right down to the Battersea Evolution by practice and we took 4 good prospects with us.
“Between the 12 of us, we should have spoken to a whole bunch of individuals on the evening and none of them knew the place Prestwick was.
“Enam got here to our desk and launched himself to us. He was very charming and nice and wished us one of the best of luck. We loved a seven-course curry banquet and once we have been later introduced as winners Enam got here as much as me and gave me a giant hug.
“Regardless of his nice stature throughout the business, he was very right down to earth and humble.
“That evening we celebrated with champagne and malt whisky – and we carried on celebrating on the practice all the best way house.
“I’m very unhappy he has handed away however I hope he's at peace now. I’ll always remember the kindness he confirmed me and my household.”
Bobby’s son, Perry, has since taken over the day-to-day operations at The Taj and nonetheless works intently together with his father and mum, Deisho.
He was with the household on the British Curry Awards and remembers Ali with nice affection.
“It got here as an awesome shock to listen to he had handed away as a result of he was such a beautiful man," stated Perry.
"There was little doubt that this was his present however he handled us and everyone else with the best of respect.”
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