Scorn for Birmingham balti exclusivity bid

02/07/2009 16:18:57

A Bradford restaurateur says Birmingham City Council's bid to ban the sale of 'baltis' outside of the West Midlands is entirely flawed.

The council claims that the Indian dish was created in Birmingham back in 1977 and therefore its name should be protected for use exclusively by local businesses, in the same way as pork pies are in Melton Mowbray.

However, speaking to the Telegraph and Argus, Mohammed Aslam, of Shipley-based restaurant work providers Aagrah, said it is impossible to lay a claim to the term balti itself.

He added: "It is not a dish, it is a style of cooking. How can a style of cooking be protected? They have no right to take one of our popular meals off.

"I believe Birmingham City Council are being misled and are being very naive."

Last month, Cross Gates Today reported that hospitality jobs had been created with the opening of a new pizzeria at the Thorpe Park business park near Leeds.

Restaurant jobs in Bradford

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