News

The chef who invented chicken tikka masala – Britain’s favourite curry – has died

His restaurant was closed for 48 hours as a mark of respect.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 22nd December 2022

The chef credited with creating Britain’s favourite curry, the chicken tikka masala, has died at the age of 77.

Ali Ahmed Aslam’s restaurant, Shish Mahal in Glasgow, announced the sad news on Monday afternoon.

They wrote: “Hey Shish Snobs…Mr Ali Passed away this morning….we are all absolutely devastated and heartbroken.”

The restaurant then closed for 48 hours as a mark of respect to the legendary chef.

Mr Aslam is said to have invented the now-legendary curry in the 1970s, when a customer said he’d prefer to have some sauce with his chicken tikka.

ADVERTISEMENT

A creamy tomato sauce was whipped up – and history was made.

Chicken tikka masala
Chicken Tikka Masala. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The chicken tikka masala has long been Britain’s favourite curry (though recent research suggests it’s been overtaken by something much, much worse).

ADVERTISEMENT

It features marinated chicken pieces in a lightly spiced sauce, perfectly matched to Brits’ milder palates.

After announcing his sad passing, the restaurant added: “Ali Ahmed Aslam of Pollokshields, Glasgow, the husband of Kalsoom Akhtar, the father of Asif Ali, Shaista Sattar, Rashaid Ali, Omar Ali and Samiya Ali, the brother of Nasim Ahmed, Bashiran Bibi and Naziran Tariq Ali, the son of Late Noor Mohammed and Late Saira Bibihas, returned to the mercy of Allah (swt).

“May Allah (swt) grant him a high place in Jannah and the family sabr during this difficult time.”

ADVERTISEMENT

The Shish Mahal has been flooded with well-wishes for the late chef.

Read more

One person wrote: “My very first proper curry experience. 1972. And he remembered me when I went back after 20 odd years absence. Lovely man. Very sad.”

Another commented: “Very sorry to hear this! Mr Ali was truly a gentleman! Always welcoming and always keen for our (then 2 year old) son to enjoy a proper Shish curry. Our thoughts are with your family and friends.”

Someone else said: “So sorry for your loss.The first curry I ever tasted was in The Shish and I have never forgotten that magical experience.”

Featured image: Facebook, Shish Mahal

News

Manchester locals appealing for more information over a month after from finding family member’s body

Danny Jones Danny Jones GMP appeal after body of Chorlton man found dead in bedroom

A Greater Manchester family are still calling for more information now over a month on from the discovery of a man’s body at his Chorlton home.

William Riddell, 49, was found dead in the bedroom of a property on Astbury Avenue at approximately 11:35pm on Sunday, 10 November after being found by his stepdaughter, Sarah Hayden.

Details surrounding his passing are still scarce but a 47-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder but has since been released on bail “pending further enquiries”, leaving Sarah and the rest of her family still none the wiser as to the exact nature of his death.

Preparing to spend their first Christmas without him, they have issued a desperate appeal for more information, urging anyone who might have information to come forward.

Riddell, more commonly known as Billy by those close to him, was described as a “good, caring man with a big heart” and a popular figure in the local area.

Speaking via Greater Manchester Police, Sarah, said: “I want to be Billy’s voice and get answers for him. Billy was a nice and lovely man and all the community knew who he was. He was well-liked and we gave him a good send-off at his funeral.

“I would just ask anyone who knew him or has any information to come forward and tell police. Even if you think it’s a little or small thing – please come forward. We just want to get to the bottom of what has happened.”

Detective Inspector Alex Wilkinson, who serves on GMP‘s Major Incident Team, added in an official statement: “The family of Billy deserve answers following his death and we are working hard to ensure they get exactly that.

“We have closely supported Sarah and the wider family over the last month, and we will continue to provide assistance wherever we can as they face their first Christmas without him.

“While a suspect has been bailed, we are still working flat-out to understand more about Billy’s life, the people he was close to, and events leading up to his death just over a month ago.”

Read more:

With that in mind, both GMP and Riddell’s family are asking anyone who might know anything or have information regarding people associated with Billy to come forward, reiterating that “even if you consider something to be small – your help could greatly benefit our investigation.”

You can contact police via 101 or by using the live chat function HERE, quoting log 3227 of 10/11/24.

Alternatively, you can contact the UK’s independent charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Greater Manchester Police

News

Government aims to ‘turn the tide’ on homelessness with £1 billion funding boost

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Nearly £1 billion of funding is being pumped into Council budgets to help “break the cycle of spiralling homelessness” in 2025.

As part of the Government‘s wider ‘Plan For Change’, and in a bid to help tackle, reduce, and prevent homelessness next year, it’s been announced that more resources will be be made available for workers on the frontline who provide essential services to get rough sleepers off the street and into secure housing.

This significant investment means Councils will now be “better equipped” to step in early and stop households from becoming homeless in the first place.

According to the Government’s plans, these funded measures will include mediation with landlords or families to prevent evictions, helping homeless people find new homes, and providing deposits to access private renting. 

The funding will also be used to address the growing use of B&Bs and nightly-let accommodation, and the streamlining of funding structures to make it easier for Councils to spend their cash.  

Areas across the UK can also choose to channel resources into services such as Housing First.

Housing First has been massively successful in Greater Manchester, and has helped house hundreds of our region’s rough sleepers since it was first piloted, being described as “life-changing” along the way.

More than £633 million of the funding will be allocated for the Homelessness Prevention Grant – which is a £192 million increase from this year – while £185.6 million will go to the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant, more than £37 million to the Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme, and £5 million will be for the Emergency Accommodation Reduction Pilots.

Read more:

This new £1 billion funding boost comes after it was announced back in September that Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions will be abolished in England next year as part of the landmark Renters’ Rights Bill.

It will also look to support the Government’s ambition to deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable housing in a generation – with an extra £500 million ploughed into the Affordable Homes Programme to build tens of thousands of affordable homes across the country.  

Featured Image – Gary Knight (via Flickr)

More News

News

Avanti West Coast staff set to strike on major days over festive period

Business

Full list of Christmas opening hours at all UK supermarkets 2024

City Centre

Man jailed after robbing and throwing hot coffee over elderly man in Piccadilly Gardens

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches