Good Curry Guide calls on MPs to revive Tiffin Cup

The Parliamentary Tiffin Cup used to be described as an award which celebrated culinary diversity. Now George Shaw, Editor of the Good Curry Guide is calling on MPs to revive the Cup to help South Asian restaurants.

The Tiffin Cup was created by a group of MPs chaired by Keith Vaz MP (before his fall from grace). It was an annual competition. MPs nominated the best South Asian restaurant in their area – after consulting their constituents. The top venue from each area then took part in a Grand Final cook-off at the House of Commons. Dishes were judged by a panel of MPs and celebrities, with proceeds going to charity. The Cup was usually presented by the Speaker of the House of Commons.

The Tiffin Cup was last won in 2019 by Kuti’s Restaurant in Southampton. The Cup was the restaurant’s second claim to fame. It is also known as the place where former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak worked when he was a student.

George Shaw has explained why the Tiffin Cup should come back. “These are challenging times for the hospitality sector,” he said, “with both restaurants and customers being hard hit by rising costs.  The Tiffin Cup will help to promote what is a vital part of our economy.  Most curry houses are small independent businesses – not a ubiquitous chain which sucks cash away from the local area, funnelling profits to a corporate headquarters many miles away, or to an offshore bank account.

Curry has its place in British history – and the British establishment. It was the first Queen Elizabeth who signed a charter in 1600 allowing London merchants to trade with the “East Indies”. That may have advanced trade, but not cook books: the first curry recipe was not printed until 1747. It took 63 years for the first Indian restaurant to be opened: The Hindoostane Coffee House, opened in 1810 by Sake Dean Mahomed. Queen Victoria loved her curry and was known for the enthusiasm with which she consumed large quantities nearly ever day for the last quarter century of her life.

If the Tiffin Cup is to be restored, Mr Shaw may not be able to rely on the current royals. King Charles and the Prince of Wales are both known to enjoy a curry – as long as the spice is kept to a moderate level. Mr Shaw is relying on MPs to restore the Tiffin Cup, and he is inviting curry lovers to lobby their MPs to ensure this happens.

●Find your MP’s contact details and email them urging them to restore the Tiffin Cup:
My Society – who is your MP?

●●Read more about the history of curry:
Good Curry Guide History of Curry

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