I was recently researching Curry ‘Awards’ and there are a plethora of them. Notable ones are ‘National Curry Awards’, ‘British Curry Awards’, ‘Curry Life Awards’, ‘English Curry Awards’ and even a Leicestershire one … on the latter maybe Birmingham needs to take a leaf out of their book and do their own!

Either way, it’s likely that the vast majority are organised by the Bangladeshi community so the chances of a genuine Balti restaurant (normally Pakistani or Kashmiri) winning any accolades must be disappointingly slim.

Manzil is a stalwart of the Brummie curry scene beloved by many a night owl/clubber dating back to England’s one and only World Cup win in 1966. Set up by the current owner’s father, he was also owner of the Taj Mahal and that was a handy spot for clubbers to what used to be the adjacent Locarno 

His son, Zakirul Islam (Zak) took over in 1986 and this curry ikon is still going today. Just as important they cook and serve a proper Birmingham Balti amongst a wide range of dishes. Incidentally, they also served up possibly the best Chicken Pakora that I have ever had … my Meat Samosa wasn’t far behind either!

Footnote … a backcloth of eighties music from Tony Basil’s ‘Micki’ to Ultravox was a nice little music segway!

DCMS have now issued the latest Government guidance on the proposed UK version of the UNESCO Convention of Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage (which includes a food category).

It focuses on intercultural dialogue with an emphasis on traditions and heritage and there will be an Inventory of successful applications which will be announced quarterly. 

Further guidance on applying for  inclusion on the Inventory will follow so one would hope that an application for the Balti will be at the forefront once an application can be made 

Nestled on a shelf in Aldi was a jar of Aagra Balti Tarka Dhal with a description on the back announcing that the Balti originates from the north west frontier of Pakistan. Yet another legend or perhaps ‘fairy tale’ would be more appropriate !

There have been a couple of articles in the media recently about the ‘demise’ of Balti and the rise of ‘Desi’ pubs.

Now I like an Indian mixed grill as much as anybody and there has been a proliferation of Sikh run pubs providing this type of fare. However noticeably none of them do a proper Balti and the fact that there are far more ‘Desi’ pubs in the Birmingham and Black Country area is, to some extent, academic.

Their advantage of course is that they are taking over existing pubs and that can only be a good thing if it prevents pubs, once the pillars of community, dying off. However, they can never replicate (and can’t be bothered/want to replicate) a proper authentic Balti which can still be found in the Birmingham area including the Triangle area.

In my culinary view there is plenty of space for both even if Balti is the only genuine Brummie dish!

A recent article in a food magazine called Vittles criticises a move to go for protected status for London’s pie and mash. If boiled mash (no butter allowed), meat pie with eel liquor and chilli vinegar floats your boat then fine but give me a proper balti anytime.

Having said that, although the pie and mash shops are disappearing at an alarming rate, I would have no objection if it wasn’t for one fact. 

The bid for Balti to get protected status was refused initially because the term was now in common usage so best of luck with ‘pie and mash’!!

It is still a mystery to me why Balti restaurants don’t do something more festive for Xmas anymore other than an occasional lonely cracker. Years ago  during the Balti boom, the many genuine Baltihouses back then would be competing fiercely so as an inspiration here is a menu …

• Poppadoms with spiced cranberry dip

• Brussel  sprout pakora

• Balti Turkey and Portobello mushroom with Spiced  cranberry naan

• Carrot Barfi and Condensed milk

Maybe one day! …

Following the demise of Imlees in Moseley, a new restaurant called Begum now flies the Balti standard. A quick visit to their spotlessly clean kitchens, confirmed their authenticity and the meal didn’t disappoint. Tandoori lamb chop starters were almost other worldly and my chicken and mushroom balti was served sizzling brimful of spices and good to see fresh instead of tinned mushrooms used! Btw, the chef unusually has the choice of three based sauces instead of the traditional one! Well worth a visit if you are in the area.

It is good to see the Balti Triangle being recognised by Birmingham’s bus operators as a destination with the launch of a poster designed by talented Birmingham artist Milan Topovic. Needless to say that the centrepiece of his design is the balti bowl.

Copies of the poster can also be purchased from his website.

Following the hosting of Steve Heap, chef and You Tuber, in the hallowed kitchens of Shababs I sat down afterwards to chew the fat with him (Balti style) to talk about both the history of Birmingham’s iconic dish and the attempts still ongoing to preserve it …