NEWS
12/01/2008
First Minister and Lord Provost Celebrate Scottish Restaurant Success
At the prestigious British Curry Awards in October 2007 Edinburgh restaurant Britannia Spice achieved the unique status of winning the “Best of” Award for its region for an unprecedented 3rd year in a row when it was awarded “Best in Scotland & N Ireland 2007”. To mark this achievement the British Curry Awards will make a special presentation to Britannia Spice at a Celebration Lunch on Tuesday 8th January.
The lunch will be attended by a wide range of guests – friends, colleagues and supporters, including Guests of honour Scottish First Minister the Rt Hon Alex Salmond MSP, the Rt Hon George Grubb Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh and Mr Enam Ali, founder of the British Curry Awards. It will be hosted by Dr Wali Uddin, MBE, JP, Chief Executive of Britannia Spice and Honorary Consul-General for Bangladesh in Scotland. The Britannia Spice chefs will be creating a special menu to mark the occasion.
Dr Uddin said about the award : It is a real honour for Britannia Spice, and for the Scottish business community as a whole, acknowledging the very high standards of the Scottish restaurant trade. Thank you to all my loyal customers and my dedicated and talented staff team for making this award possible.”
2007 has been a year of achievement for Edinburgh businessman Dr Wali Tasar Uddin MBE, JP. As well as the British Curry Award (announced at a glamorous ceremony, hosted by Chris Tarrant and attended by over 1,000 industry professionals), the restaurant also won 2007 Best in Scotland Award from BIBA earlier this year.
On a personal level, Dr Uddin was awarded an honorary D.Litt degree from Heriot Watt University in July 2007 an honorary degree from Napier University in November. He was also a guest at a recent dinner at Windsor Castle hosted by The Prince of Wales to celebrate the British Asian Community’s achievements.
Dr Uddin is respected throughout Europe and Bangladesh as a successful businessman, a community leader and an outstanding humanitarian. He has been awarded many honours, including Young Scot of the Year, since he moved to the UK in the 1970s, starting out as a waiter in a relative’s restaurant. Many years of hard work and study, combined with exceptional drive and business acumen have resulted in a portfolio of successful restaurants and business interests. This success in the business world has brought recognition from many sides. In 1984 Dr Uddin was the first Bangladeshi in Scotland to be made a Justice of the Peace. In 1993 he was appointed as the first Honorary Consul-General of Bangladesh in Scotland and in 1995 he was made a Member of the British Empire for his services to race relations. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and, in 2003, was included in Debretts’ People of Today.
Britannia Spice, which specialises in authentic Bangladesh, North Indian and Thai cuisine, is an exceptional restaurant, which has won many international awards since it first took the Edinburgh dining scene by storm in 2000. In 2006 alone, it was named Best in Scotland by both BIBA and the British Curry Awards. Dr Uddin’s contribution to the restaurant sector was recognised in 2006 with BIBA’s Industry Personality of the Year Award as well as the Asian Jewel Lifetime Achievement Award.
Dr Wali Tasar Uddin:
“When I came to the UK I had nothing. I started at the bottom and worked my way up through hard work and study. I believe that it’s vital to give something back – to support the community and encourage the next generation of entrepreneurs.”
For more press information, photos etc please call Morag Neil on 0771 288 0965 or email moragneil@blueyonder.co.uk
Images from the special lunch to celebrate Britannia Spice’s hat-trick of wins (Best in Scotland 2005, 2006 & 2007) at the British Curry Awards. The Award founder, and Spice Business Magazine editor Mr Enam Ali AHCIMA, FRSA, made a special presentation to Chairman and Chief Executive Dr Wali Uddin MBE, JP. Scotland’s First Minister, the Rt Hon Alex Salmond MSP and the Lord Provost of Edinburgh the Rt Hon George Grubb were on hand to offer congratulations. The event was attended by over 100 guests including Consul Generals, representatives from Edinburgh’s universities, Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, business colleagues, family, friends, regular customers and press.
These photos are hi res images for press use.
Photographer must be credited when used – photograph © marc marni
Links to High Resolution photos
Alex Salmond and Chefs 1.60MB
Dr Wali Uddin 5.06MB
