Degree to help tackle curry crisis

Bradford College say new restrictions have meant curry houses are no longer able to bring in trained chefs from the Indian sub-continent to fill vacancies.

Now it is working with major restaurants in the city to create the International Food Academy which will offer expert training to home and overseas students.

Chefs from Bradford-based restaurants Omar Khan’s, Akbars, Nawaab, Mumtaz, Aagrah and Prashad will help launch the initiative tomorrow.

The academy has created qualifications in Asian and international cuisine which range from apprenticeships to degrees.

The head of the International Food Academy, Graham Fleming said: “I think it’s an absolute superb opportunity for Bradford to shine – it puts Bradford on the map, because we’re going to service the needs of the industry.

“Hopefully we will spread good practice across the country, emanating from Bradford. Recently there have been a number of restaurants that began in Bradford and have now become national chains – we want to mirror that success with the launch of the academy, helping to create award winning chefs of the future.”

Bradford College is working in partnership with Omar Khan’s OK Academy to create the courses.

Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe, who is joint chairman of the OK Academy, said the college’s plan would boost the UK economy and tackle the problem of a shortage of skilled curry chefs.