Celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal has taken a taste of what Birmingham has to offer … and given his seal of approval.
On a visit to the city he and girlfriend Suzanne Pirret, an American cookery writer, popped into Asha’s restaurant in Newhall Street to enjoy a meal.
General manager Jai George said: “They said it was one of the best curries they had ever eaten.
“It was a complete surprise to see them walk in and, of course, a pleasure and a privilege … and naturally the conversation centred on food. We shared thoughts on a number of culinary topics and it was very stimulating.”
Heston is one of a string of high profile figures to have sampled the Asha’s menu including the Miss England 2012 contestants, personality Calum Best, former top cricketers, Mike Gatting and Sunil Gavaskar, Rishi Rich, the British Indian singer and music producer, and Indian singing star Asha Bhosle after whom the venue is named.
He started dating Ms Pirret last year after splitting from wife Zanna.
An award-winning restaurateur, food writer and television regular, he is self-taught.
It all started when he bought the Fat Duck in Bray, Berkshire, in 1995 after scraping enough money together to buy the 450-year-old tumbledown pub, transforming it into a three-star Michelin restaurant.
Asha’s too is no stranger to awards.
They include Taste of Birmingham – Best Newcomers 2007; British Curry Award – UK Newcomer of the Year 2007; Best Restaurant – West Midlands Curry Award 2009; Dinners Choice Award 2010, 2011 and 2012; Toptable Award 2009, 2010 and 2011 for under £25 in the UK; and finalist in the British Curry Awards 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.
It also features in the Michelin Guide.