A non-profit making and non-political dynamic organisation ‘The Federation of Bangladeshi Caterers UK’ is the country's campaigning pressure group promoting and protecting the interests of the British curry industry. Our lobbying arm - led by the Westminster Press and Parliamentary office - applies pressure on MPs, Government and Whitehall and puts the FoBC viewpoint over to the media. The organisation is committed to delivering a wide range of high quality, good value business services to members of the FoBC. These services will be subject to continuing review and will represent a positive enhancement to the benefit of membership of the Leading Business Organisation in the UK.
This organisation is formed to promote and safeguard the interest of the catering industry in Britain. The South Asian community plays an important role to all aspects of the national life in the UK. The British Bangladeshi dominated curry industry contributes approximately 4.5 billion pounds to the British economy. It also creates an opportunity job of about 100,000 people in this sector. Bangladeshi and South Asian caterers now need to work together to ensure their continued progress and to overcome the problems the catering industry is now facing.
Yawar Khan, President of the FoBC-UK and Chairman/CEO of the Asian Curry Awards, would like to thank all who worked so hard to ensure the success of the inaugural Asian Curry Awards and FoBC Gala Dinner which took place on Sunday, 16th October.
These include all the events team including the Asian Curry Awards organising committee; Rokib Ali; Shah F Athar; Raja Ali and members of the FoBC, in particular, ATMW Saad Ghazi; Sherwan Choudhury, Md. Anwar Hussain, Abdul Boshor and Read more...
Sunday 16 October saw the inaugural Asian Curry Awards gala dinner take place at the Lancaster Hotel in London. The event, hosted by the Federation of Bangladeshi Caterers UK, highlighted the greatest achievements of the UK's Asian catering trade.
Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg - who was unable to attend the awards but has long supported the FoBC - comments, "The FoBC Gala Dinner is a fitting way to celebrate and promote the success of the UK curry industry. It helps to recognise Read more...
Recognising excellence and achievement in the Asian food industry, the Awards are organised by the Federation of Bangladeshi Caterers (UK), and supported by many leading brands. With strong competition amid a larger entry field across the Asian food range, the shortlisted businesses and organisations demonstrate the top quality establishments in the United Kingdom today. The winners in each category will be revealed at a spectacular Awards Dinner hosted by Sky News presenter, Lukwesa Burak and showcasing entertainment from the international, Read more...
The Federation of Bangladeshi Caterers is holding a press conference at Cafe Naz on Brick Lane on Tuesday, 11th October at 1pm.
All members of the press are invited to attend for an important announcement and press release about the Asian Curry Awards which are being presented at the FoBC Gala Dinner at the Lancaster London Hotel on Sunday, 16th October.
A lunch will be provided at the conference which will be attended by the Asian community and will receive significant coverage Read more...
Members of the Federation of Bangladeshi Caterers UK welcomed a business delegation from Bangladesh on Thursday, 22nd October. Representatives from Banglalion Communications Ltd, Banglalion WiMAX and the Sunman group of companies met the FoBC in Brick Lane to discuss ways to market their communication services and products in the UK.
Banglalion Communications is the leading Broadband Wireless Access operator in Bangladesh, committed to build a connected Bangladesh through wireless telecom solutions. This was their first meeting before embarking on a Roadshow Read more...
Yawar Khan, President of the FoBC, attended the British Grand Prix on Sunday as a guest of Kingfisher Premium Lager Beer where he was able to see the impressive Force India F1 Team in action.
Dr Vijay Mallya, owner of United Breweries & Kingfisher Airlines and Chairman and Team Principal of the Force India team was present at the event. Mr Khan was able to talk to Dr Mallya about the work of the Federation, of which Kingfisher are the principal Read more...
Leaders of business organisations, politicians and principal representatives of the Asian catering sector were unanimous in their support for the new Asian Curry Awards, organised by the Federation of Bangladeshi Caterers UK (FoBC), which were launched on Thursday, 7th July in the House of Commons.
Fifty guests including the President of the FoBC, Yawar Khan; Lord Sheikh, Founder and Chairman of the Conservative Muslim Forum; John Walker, the Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses; Cllr Thomas Chan, Chairman of the Read more...
A summer’s evening of networking, organised by the Federation of Bangladeshi Caterers UK (FoBC), took place in Marlow on Sunday, 26th June when local restaurateurs and business owners joined the Town Mayor of Marlow, Cllr Jocelyn Towns and the Deputy Town Mayor, Suzanne Brown for a dinner in the relaxed surroundings of Tiger Garden restaurant. Also present at the event was Frank Sequeira, National Field Sales Manager of Kingfisher Premium Lager Beer, who are main sponsors of the FoBC.
Hosted by the leading Read more...
The FoBC is holding a complimentary networking lunch at the Bombay Express in Portsmouth, kindly hosted by Mr Abdul Kadir and Mr Babul Miah on Monday, 4th July 2011 at 12midday.
We would like to invite all restaurateurs and business owners in the South Asian catering sector to join us for an opportunity to meet like-minded individuals, network, share ideas and hear from guest speakers about issues facing our industry including staff shortages and the provision of training for skilled workers Read more...
Members of the FoBC joined Birmingham restaurateurs and business owners for a seminar organised in partnership with Parliamentary Outreach at the BVSC, the Centre for Voluntary Action in the city centre.
The seminar, An Introduction to Parliament, which was designed to help SMEs increase knowledge about the workings of parliament and learn how to influence decisions made in the Houses of Commons and Lords, was also supported by the FoBC’s main sponsors, Kingfisher Premium Lager Beer, represented by prominent members of Read more...
Leading parliamentarians, Lord Sheikh, Founder & Chairman of the Conservative Muslim Forum and the Rt Hon Tom Brake, MP for Carshalton and Wallington and member of the Home Affairs Select Committee, were two of the speakers at a seminar organised by the FoBC in partnership with Parliamentary Outreach on Monday, 6th June.
The free seminar led by Parliamentary Outreach Officer, Clare Mullin at Toynbee Hall in London’s East End, was designed to inform South Asian restaurateurs and business owners on the Read more...
Bangladeshi restaurant owners and members of the community and FoBC met to attend a meeting organised by the Walsall Bangladeshi Progressive Society and conducted by Mustafa Choudhury Juboraj, Centre Manager.
The meeting was held at the Many topics were dicussed relating to the curry industry including immigration, banking and training and the FoBC was able to explain about initiatives and work of the FoBC which received full support from delegates.
Speakers at the event included Mr Faizur Rahman Choudhury MBE; Cllr Ahmedul Read more...
The President of the Federation of Bangladeshi Caterers UK (FoBC), Yawar Khan, met with the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg at a special dinner held at the historic Carew Manor in Wallington on Saturday, 11th June.
The meeting which had been organised by the Rt Hon Tom Brake, MP for Carshalton & Wallington and Member of the Home Affairs Select Committee, was also attended by the Rt Hon Paul Burstow, MP for Sutton and Cheam and Minister of State for Health, Read more...
Do you feel what goes on in Westminster has nothing to do with you? Does all the political jargon and talking heads turn you off? Would you like to know more about the decision making which affects you, your industry or your area, and even influence those decisions?
If so, you may be interested in attending our free seminar and lunch, organised in partnership with Parliamentary Outreach, Monday, 20th June 2011, from 1 to 4pm at BVSC, the Centre for Voluntary Read more...
Fifteen hundred miles covered in four days, six events and hundreds of restaurateurs and business owners in the curry industry united – the FoBC Roadshow to the north of England and Scotland has been a massive success and a spectacular promotion of the South Asian catering sector
The mammoth trip started on Sunday, 22nd May when delegates who included FoBC members and restaurateurs set off on a special promotional tour from the UK’s curry capital in Banglatown, Brick Lane to the Read more...
The Federation of Bangladeshi Caterers’ UK held the final event of their Roadshow to highlight the curry industry in the north of England and Scotland, at the Ashoka restaurant on Melton Road, Leicester.
The networking dinner was hosted by the restaurant owner, Mr Shahidur Rahman Khan who provided a delicious meal for guests. The event was well-attended by around 50 restaurateurs, business owners and community leaders from the whole of Leicestershire, Nottingham and Birmingham.
FoBC representatives included Yawar Khan, President; Saad Ghazi, Read more...
A successful networking dinner was held by the Federation of Bangladeshi Caterers UK (FoBC) at the Viceroy Restaurant in Shaddongate, Carlisle on 23rd May when local restaurateurs, community leaders and business owners met to discuss issues and concerns relating to the curry industry.
The evening was hosted by the restaurant owner Sukur Ali who provided a complimentary dinner for delegates. Representatives of the FoBC included the President, Yawar Khan and Honorary President Saad Ghazi. The dinner was also attended by Cllr Read more...
South Asian caterers and business owners in Scotland were able to learn how to become connected with parliament at a free training session organised by the business organisation, the Federation of Bangladeshi Caterers (FoBC) in partnership with Parliamentary Outreach.
Around 50 delegates attended the seminar and lunch in Edinburgh’s Meadowbank Stadium at the first of a series of meetings being held across the UK’s major cities, designed to help people learn more about the parliamentary process and discuss issues relating to Read more...
A networking breakfast for the Federation of Bangladeshi Caterers (FoBC) was hosted by the celebrity chef and founder of the Indian Chef of the Year competition, Tommy Miah, on their recent Roadshow to Scotland.
The Roadshow, organised to promote the curry industry, involved FoBC members making a road trip of 1500 over four days from Brick Lane to the north of England and Scotland to take part in a series of networking events and training session organised with Parliamentary Outreach.
The breakfast Read more...
The Federation Roadshow travelled to Aberdeen on Monday, 23rd May when a highly successful networking lunch was held at the Nawaabs Tandoori, hosted by the owner and Vice President of the FoBC, Gulam Kibria Owes.
Over 50 restaurateurs, business leaders in the South Asian catering sector from Aberdeen and surrounding areas met for the lunch and took part in a discussion about the curry industry. The event was also attended by members of the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce. A Read more...
The Federation of Bangladeshi Caterers Roadshow was launched with its first networking dinner in Scotland at the Ignite Bengali and Indian Dining Restaurant in Morrison Street Edinburgh when over 70 local restaurateurs, business owners and community leaders united for a complimentary dinner on 22nd May.
The dinner, filmed by Channel S TV, was hosted by the owner and well-respected businessman, Mr Yahya Khan. Shahid Chowdhury, a community leader and owner of The Indian Cavalry Club restaurant in Edinburgh, welcomed the President Read more...
The FoBC is taking a bus to Scotland with delegates and media representatives to attend the series of FoBC networking and training session organised in partnership with Parliamentary Outreach from 22nd-24th May in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Carlisle. The events provide an opportunity to promote the curry industry whilst networking with and supporting local business owners and restaurateurs in the north.
The bus will depart from Brick Lane on Sunday 22nd May at 12noon and delegates travelling with us will be able Read more...
Restaurateurs and business owners united to discuss important issues facing the curry industry last night when a successful networking diner was held at the Eastern Promise Restaurant in Hailsham, East Sussex.
The dinner was attended by over 50 guests from all over Sussex and Kent. Delegates from the FoBC included the President Yawar Khan; Honorary President, Saad Ghazi; Secretary General, Anwar Hussain; Training Secretary, Shah F Athar; Organising Secretary, Rokib Ali; and Elias Hussain. Prominent businessmen also attending the dinner were Read more...
The FoBC is heading to Scotland in May when our next networking event will take place in the capital city of Edinburgh.
If you are a restaurateur or business owner within the curry industry, we would like to invite you to join us for a complimentary dinner on Sunday, 22nd May at 9.30pm, to discuss a wide range of issues ranging from government policy on VAT to the provision of more training in the curry sector,
The dinner is to be held at Read more...
The Viceroy restaurant in Biggleswade was the forum for a lively discussion of some of the challenges currently facing the Bangladeshi catering sector on 10th April, when top caterers and businessmen attended a networking dinner organised by the Federation of Bangladesh Caterers UK.
The event was hosted and chaired by Abdul Boshor, owner of the Viceroy and Senior Vice President of the FoBC. Around 80 guests attended with the FoBC President, Yawar Khan and many FoBC committee members. Also present were Read more...
The President of the FoBC, Yawar Khan, attended the Outstanding Achievement Award Ceremony 2010 for the top performing British-Bangladeshi students, organised by the Bangladesh High Commission.
The awards are for students all over the UK who achieve excellent GCSE, A’level and BTEC results. In 2010, nominations were invited from pupils who achieved at least 10 A/A* grades with a minimum of 6A*s in GCSE and three As in A-level exams, with a total of 47 awards at GCSE level and 22 at Read more...
The FoBC and President, Yawar Khan were singled out for mention in an important parliamentary debate in the House of Commons on 8th February.
The Committee debate on the Draft Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Order 2011 concerned approval of the introduction of a new fee for visa, immigration and nationality applications and services. The level of the fee was to be specified in March.
Committee members included Damian Green, Minister for Immigration, Tom Brake, MP for Carshalton and Wallington; Gerry Sutlcliffe, MP Read more...
The Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, arrived in the UK on Wednesday, 26th January for a five-day official visit to the UK. The visit was at the invitation of the prestigious debating society, the Oxford Union. Sheikh Hasina was asked to address the audience on the subject of “World Peace” in recognition of her achievement in ending the insurgency in the Chittagong Hill Tracts for which she received the UNESCO’s Hourphouet-Boigny Peace Prize in 1998.
In her address on Thursday, Read more...
The Rt Hon Damian Green MP, Minister for Immigration and the Rt Hon Dominic Grieve QC MP, the Attorney General were two of the high-profile guests who joined an exclusive dinner hosted by Lord Sheikh and organised by the president of the FoBC, Yawar Khan, at the House of Lords on Monday, 24th January.
The dinner, held in the splendid Cholmondeley Rooms and Terrace overlooking the River Thames, was attended by an array of MPs including Rushanara Ali MP for Bethnall Read more...
History was made on Wednesday, 12th January when the Federation of Bangladeshi Caterers united the Federation of Small Businesses, the British Hospitality Association, Restaurant Association, Chinese Takeaway Association, Citizens UK, Malaysian Restaurant Association and Migrants’ Rights Network for the first time ever, in a round table review of the effect of the government’s cap on immigration which they believe is crippling business and restricting growth.
Together the business leaders represented over half a million businesses in the UK. The meeting in Read more...
We are pleased to announce that Lord Sheikh, Chairman of the Conservative Muslim Forum is hosting an exclusive dinner, organised by the FoBC at the House of Lords on Monday, 24th January 2011.
The occasion, organised by the FoBC, will be attended by high-profile members of the House of Lords and House of Commons, business leaders, diplomats and members of the Bangladesh and South Asian High Commissions, plus restaurateurs and related business owners. The main topic for discussion is the “Big Read more...
The Federation of Bangladeshi Caterers UK (Inc related businesses) is forming a joint alliance with Chinese Catering Associations and other leading organisations within the restaurant and hospitality sector, to lobby government about the serious shortage of skilled labour faced by the ethnic restaurant and takeaway industry.
The move comes in response to the government’s announcement last week that the number of skilled workers entering the country from outside the EU will be capped at 21,700 as from April 2011. This represents Read more...
The date of the FoBC Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony 2011 has been announced!
This spectacular occasion is to take place on Sunday, 16th October 2011 at the Lancaster London Hotel on Hyde Park when the world’s top politicians, VIPs and celebrities will be beating a path to our doors to be a part of this pioneering event.
The evening also launches the brand new Asian Awards – full details Read more...
The chancellor may have said that the rise in VAT was “unavoidable” but we believe that the increase demonstrates this coalition government’s lack of support for small businesses and restaurants.
The rise in VAT is going to devastate our curry industry. Already reeling from the effects of the recession, small businesses are battling to keep their heads above water - many may now be Read more...
A delegation from the Federation of Bangladeshi Caterers and business organisations met with the President of Bangladesh Zillur Rahman at the London Hilton Hotel for a high-profile discussion about trade and investment. The meeting held on 27th June, which was attended by representatives of prominent British Bangladeshi businesses and investors in Bangladesh, was described as “positive and constructive” by President Yawar Khan Read more...
There was plenty of "food" for the mind as well as the body at the Federation of Bangladeshi Caterers’ Annual Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony on July 18th when a host of leading politicians, hundreds of restaurateurs and business owners within the catering industry, dignitaries, business leaders and VIPs gathered at the elegant Lancaster London Hotel to digest inspirational speeches and superb Asian food, interspersed with fabulous Bollywood entertainment. The Read more...
More than 50 guests were able to break their fast together during Ramadan at an Iftar Party organised by the FoBC on 2nd September at the Akash Restaurant in Wallington, Surrey. The party was attended by members of parliament from Bangladesh and the UK and the Deputy High Commissioner for Bangladesh, London, plus businesspersons and dignitaries from the local community.Also present at the Iftar was Tom Brake MP for Wallington and Carshalton, Allama Siddiki, Deputy High Commissioner of Read more...
As the damage caused by recent riots tops £200 million, a number of support measures have been introduced to help business owners adversely affected by the disruptions.
Many businesses have lost vital records which have been destroyed or stolen. HM Revenue & Customs has announced a helpline number 0845 366 1207 to help businesses and individuals with issues like this as well as cash flow and insurance.
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has announced a multi-million pound support package for local firms and Read more...
The FoBC believes that the move by government to admit only the top 5% of non-EU chefs into the UK under the shortage-of-occupation list will cause irreparable damage to the curry industry and result in the closure of ethnic restaurants throughout the country.
From 6th April 2011, non-EU chefs have to fulfil a new set of strict criteria to work in the UK. These include the offer of a salary of over £28,250, five years’ previous experience working in a similar Read more...
Although there was some good news for small businesses in the 2011 Budget, some believe that little has been done to relieve the burden for businesses in the catering sector.
More welcome measures in the budget include the increase in the business rate relief holiday for small businesses for 12 months (allowing businesses with a rateable value under £6,000 to be exempt); the reduction of corporation tax (50%); the increase in the basic tax threshold (from £7,435 to £8,100) and strategies Read more...
Industry experts say that the rise in VAT which came into effect at midnight yesterday will hit the profit margins of small businesses across the UK.
The permanent hike in the standard rate of VAT from 17.5% to 20% was introduced by the coalition government in an attempt to recover an estimated £13bn a year and will affect catering establishments and retailers more than most. Yesterday saw scenes of confusion in many shops across the UK as purchasers discovered that the Read more...
A High Court judge has ruled that the government’s interim cap on immigration is unlawful.
The temporary cap for non-EU skilled workers was imposed by the Home Office in July in an effort to stop a surge of applications for immigration before the permanent cap came into effect in April 2011.
The case against the Home Secretary, Theresa May was brought by the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI), an independent charity that campaigns for justice in immigration and the Read more...
Restaurateurs, Takeaway and small business owners are being advised by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to prepare for the VAT increase next year to avoid confusion in their accounting systems.
The changes come in on 4th January when businesses need to make sure that all invoices, sales and transactions are recorded at the new rate.
Industry commentators have warned that although larger businesses will be able to absorb the increase in prices, many smaller businesses will have to change their prices before Read more...
The coalition government’s interim cap on immigration has caused consternation within the curry sector that the measures will create a skills shortage in ethnic restaurants which rely on specialist chefs from outside the EU.
Earlier this year, the government introduced an interim cap while the Migration Advisory Committee, an independent body, was asked to advise on what level the limit should be set in consultation with businesses and other interested groups.
The interim cap was introduced in response to the unprecedented levels Read more...
Ethnic restaurants face a skills crisis as the Conservative coalition government launches a consultation that aims to reduce migration to the UK. In keeping with its election pledge, the government wants to limit immigration to returns to the level it was in the mid 1990s. Details of how the reduction will be made will be announced after a 12 week consultation Read more...
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) consultation to advise the government on the level of immigration to the UK by nationals of countries outside the EU has recommended that London weighting remains in place. The coalition government’s consultation on immigration, which was launched on 30th June, required the MAC to look into the issue of London weighting, paid by some Read more...
Britain is to simplify visa rules for potential foreign investors and permanent residency is to be granted to entrepreneurs investing large amounts under new rules announced by the Home Office.
At present, investors can settle in the UK after five years but under the new measures, people who invest five million pounds will be allowed to live in Britain after three years, whiles those who invest ten million gain residency after just two years.
The new initiative, known as the Entrepreneur Visa, Read more...
The FoBC was very happy to hear of the engagement of Prince William to Miss Catherine Middleton and would like to offer warm congratulations to this spirited, warm and modern couple who have brought the monarchy into the 21st century.
It was a refreshing change to hear of such a happy and uplifting event in the midst of the doom and gloom of government cutbacks. We share in William and Kate’s joy Read more...
