Pictured above: Arfan (Raz) Razak teaches a NCN student how
to make an Onion Bhaji
Catering students at New College Nottingham have been given a
lesson in cooking authentic Indian cuisine from the owner of the
Curry Lounge restaurant.
Arfan Razak (known as Raz) spent the afternoon with a group of
Level 3 Professional Cookery learners to pass on his expert
knowledge of Indian food, as well as offering them an insight into
the restaurant business.
As part of the session, Raz also spent some time discussing his
experiences with Gordon Ramsay, when the Curry Lounge appeared on
the Channel 4 Kitchen Nightmares series back in 2007.
"I wanted to present the students with the reality of the
restaurant industry," commented Raz. "The Curry Lounge is testament
to the fact that a venue can be turned into a multi-award-winning
eatery with a lot of hard work and dedication. This is certainly
something that anyone entering the business needs to be prepared
for."
Raz also cooked a variety of dishes from the Curry Lounge's
menu, including Karahi Chicken and Balchao King Prawn, helping to
highlight the differences between traditional Indian cuisine and
westernised variations.
Faye Boucher, Curriculum Leader for Apprenticeship and Train to
Gain in Catering and Hospitality at New College Nottingham,
added:
"The students really benefited from spending time with Raz and
learning how authentic Indian food differs from many of the curries
served in the UK. It provided them with a real understanding of the
history behind the dishes and also the intricacy of blending spices
to create a truly traditional taste.
"We have a variety of guest chefs showcasing their skills as
part of the course, but it was a real advantage to have a
demonstration focusing on just one cuisine."