Celebrations, Gala Dinners and Awards

As befits an Association that represents the restaurant, hospitality and catering sector, the FoBC
has organised many high-profile events to date, incorporating world-class food, iconic speakers
and cultural entertainment. Social and networking events have helped to form a background to our
business agenda to stimulate discussion within the community, restaurant owners and staff and
provide information to our members and further develop links with politicians and organisations.

If you would like to learn more or attend our latest events or host a networking diner please see
our FoBC Latest News Section.

March 2009 – Launch of Federation of Bangladeshi Caterers UK

The Federation took off with a flourish on 30th March 2009 when hundreds of guests, including
politicians, dignitaries, business and community leaders and VIPs attended the inaugural launch at
the Impressions Events Venue in West Ham. The event also celebrated Bangladesh Independence
Day to mark the date when, 39 years ago Bangladeshis achieved self determination and democracy.

Guests gathered for canapés in the atrium at the Centre before being welcomed in to the dining
area by the Toastmaster. Highlights of the evening included a spectacular and colourful display of
Bangladeshi Dance with traditional musical entertainment, a charity raffle and banquet comprising
authentic Bangladeshi cuisine. Before festivities commenced, the formal business of the evening
took place with address from the Federation’s President Mr Yawar Khan, FoBC presentation and
introduction of the FoBC committee.

Messages of good will were read out from Her Majesty the Queen, the former leader of the
Opposition David Cameron, Pat Chapman author and founder of the Curry Club and Anwar
Choudhury, Director of International Institutions.

David Cameron wrote of the huge contribution made by British Bangladeshi communities in all
aspects of our national life; “I believe that we can all be proud of Britain’s vibrant, multi-ethnic
society and of our British identity and shared values,” he wrote.

Mr Choudhury ‘s letter referred to the Bangladeshi people’s victory in 1971 that claimed one million
lives so that today 150 million could live to enjoy wider freedom. He saluted the sacrifice of those
who died and wrote of the shared values of tolerance, generosity and optimism between Britain and
Bangladesh.

“The Bangladeshi restaurant network forms the linchpin of our community,” he continued, “and our
economic success and now has become a recognisable thread in the social fabric of Britain. It is a
huge achievement which many in the wider community throughout Britain salute.”

Speakers at the event included Rushanara Ali who spoke of the significant part played by the
restaurant industry in East London, especially the historic curry houses of Brick Lane; “The work of
organisations like the Federation of Bangladesh Caterers helps to promote and grow the restaurant
industry,” she said, “That’s why I’m working with you to establish restaurant training colleges in the
UK so that we can have the best UK based chefs and cooks in this industry.”

Dinner at the Akash Restaurant

A fundraising dinner was organised in Wallington on 12th November 2009.

The event took place in the stylish Askash Restaurant on Stafford Road and was attended by the
Rt. Hon. Vince Cable, former Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer and now Secretary of State for
Business, Innovation and Skills.

FoBC Networking Dinner at the House of Commons

Towards the end of 2009, we organised an exclusive Networking Dinner at the House of Commons.
The event was an outstanding success where we were able to address many important issues
relating to the catering industry.

Distinguished guests and speakers included Lord Sheikh, His Excellence Mr Allama Siddiqu (Deputy
High Commissioner of Bangladesh), Neil Jameson (Executive Director of the Citizen Organising
Foundation, Anwar Choudhury (Director of International Institutions), the Rt Hon John Denham MP,
Dr Bari (Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain), and a formidable list of MPs, Lords and
businessmen.

The event was hosted by Tom Brake MP who delivered the inaugural speech, followed by FoBC
President Yawar Khan’s speech outlining objectives and immediate remedies for the development of
the catering industry in the UK.

Key issues discussed at the Dinner included the necessity of creating training courses for workers
within the catering sector, the importance of integrating Bangladeshi migrants within British society,
climate change and trade relationships between Britain and Bangladesh.

FoBC Bangladeshi Curry Night

Our first anniversary dinner on 16th December 2009 was held in celebration of The National Victory
Day of Bangladesh and took place in the stylish environs of Surrey Health and Racquets Club in
Croydon.

Tennis was not on the agenda however as a host of dignitaries and guests, plus some special
celebrity VIPs assembled from all over the UK to sample four courses of exquisite authentic
Bangladeshi food, take in some breathtaking entertainment and meet and chat with many like
minded individuals.

Sparkling cultural entertainment was provided by beautiful and talented Bangladeshi and Bollywood
dancers combining elements of traditional and contemporary dance. The whole event was filmed
and televised widely on Bangladeshi TV channels as well as being extensively covered by the media.

Federation of Bangladeshi Caterers Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony 2010

Our Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony was held on 19th July 2010 and was attended by three
government ministers, a host of MPs, hundreds of restaurateurs and business owners, dignitaries,
heads of organisations and VIPs who all gathered at the Lancaster London Hotel to celebrate the
phenomenal success of the curry industry and recognise the contribution of some of its leading
figures.

The landmark occasion took place in the candlelit Nine Kings Suite and was hosted by Lisa Aziz, the
former Sky News and ITV West anchor with a welcome address from the FoBC President Mr Yawar
Khan. Guest speakers included among many others, the Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable MP, Secretary of
State for Business, Innovation and Skills; Paul Burstow, MP for Sutton and Cheam and Minister of
State for Health; Tom Brake, MP for Carshalton and Wallington and the Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP for

Leicester East and Chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee.

Leading catering and business organisations were also represented by their respective chairmen
- John Walker of the Federation of Small Businesses; Lord Richard Bradford of the Restaurant
Association and Cllr Thomas Chan Head of the UK Chinese Takeaway Association. The Association
of Catering Excellence was represented by Vice Chairman Ruston Toms. Heads of top businesses
included Damon Swarbrick, CEO of Kingfisher Premium Lager Beer who was also the recipient of an
award for Kingfisher’s outstanding contribution to the industry.

Guests were served a superb, traditional Bengali banquet by the international catering firm Madhu’s
before watching further entertainment and spectacular dance displays provided by the traditional
Bengali dance troupe Tridhara and the Angel Bollywood Dancers.

Iftar Party at Akash

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.

The event was held in honour of Syed Mohsin Ali, MP for the Moulvibazar District in Bangladesh
who was in the UK to promote business and tourism in Bangladesh. Many of the British Bangladeshi
guests present were originally from the Moulvibazar area, so there was plenty of opportunity for Mr
Ali to reminisce and talk with former members of his constituency.

Also present at the Iftar was Tom Brake MP for Wallington and Carshalton, Allama Siddiki, Deputy
High Commissioner of Bangladesh, London, the former Mayor of Croydon, Cllr Shafi Khan and Cllr
Sherwan Choudhury.

Syed Mohsin Ali, who was a freedom fighter in Bangladesh’s War of Independence in 1971 spoke of
the history and current issues affecting his home country and reflected on how the two economies
of the UK and Bangladesh could work together. He said that Bangladesh was a great country with
much to offer in terms of tourism and investment.

Tom Brake MP praised the FoBC for the work they were doing, not only with regard to issues in the
catering sector but also in areas like climate change which was of special relevance to Bangladesh.

Allama Siddiki, Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh also praised the FoBC for its hard work for
the British Bangladeshi caterers and promoting its business through networking.