The chef who invented 'Chicken Tikka Masala' dies
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The chef from Glasgow, who invented the well-known chicken tikka masala, died at the age of 77.
UK’s former foreign minister Robin Cook once called the dish a crucial part of British culture, validating its fame.
Ali Ahmed Aslam, who was originally from Punjab province in Pakistan, evolved the dish by improvising a sauce made from a tin of tomato soup at his restaurant Shish Mahal in the 1970s.
Shish Mahal restaurant in Glasgow has closed for 48 hours as a mark of respect, according to The Guardian.
The restaurant reportedly announced: “Hey, Shish Snobs … Mr Ali passed away this morning … We are all absolutely devastated and heartbroken.”
His nephew Andleeb Ahmed reportedly said the restaurant was Aslam’s life where chefs used to make curry for him.
Ahmed reminisced that the veteran chef was unwell last year and he went to see him in hospital on Christmas Day.
Ali Ahmed Aslam told AFP in 2009 that chicken tikka masala was invented after a customer complained that his chicken tikka was too dry.
He decided to cook the chicken with some sauce added with yogurt, cream and spice, evolving the dish.
Ali went on to reveal that the chicken tikka masala was made according to customer taste.
In 2009, he campaigned unsuccessfully for getting the dish granted the European Union’s "Protected Designation of Origin" status.
He was hoping to get the dish in the club of the likes of Champagne, Parma Ham and Greek Feta cheese.
Supporters of the campaign cited the fact that former foreign minister Robin Cook famously described it as a crucial part of British culture.