Think Indian Cuisine and one name instantly comes to mind and that is celebrity chef CRYUS TODIWALA. He’s been a regular favourite on out TV screens for more years than we remember, but actually, has been a welcome visitor to the ABERGAVENNY FOOD FESTIVAL for even more.
He is an Indian chef proprietor of Café Spice Namasté having trained at the at the Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces chain in India, and rose to become executive chef for eleven restaurants within those hotels.
He moved to the UK in 1991 and after a little settling in he opened Café Spice Namasté in 1995, the restaurant for which he is best known.
He’s gone on to launch a range of condiments and sauces called Mr Todiwala’s, and a second restaurant called Mr Todiwala’s Kitchen, which is located at the Hilton at Heathrow Airport near Terminal 5.
He was awarded an MBE in 2000, and an OBE in 2009. He has also been awarded an honorary doctorate and been made an honorary professor. In 2012, he got to cook for Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
We’ve seen Cyrus on stage many times over the years, and reminded him of the last time we met at BBC GOOD FOOD in Birmingham. Those who got to spend time watching him in action this weekend will see what a great talent he is in the kitchen.
We took time out to chat to Cyrus about this year’s Food Festival, which, apart from a short downpour on Sunday afternoon, was blessed with sunshine, and huge crowds, all eager to get back out and enjoy what South Wales has to offer.
Here’s some picture from the second day of the show……
