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Carving out a future

LOVE was in the air at Tamarind Restaurant in Northampton last month when, for the first time in its 14 years history, a special Valentine’s Day event was held.

Prior to an evening celebration, owner Tipu Rahman held a lunchtime reception for invited guests to welcome a visit by chef and protege Md Billal Hossain, a Bangladeshi chef with whom Tipu worked alongside in their native country and on local television, as well as acting as an assistant on a number of occasions including when he created a meal for the Prime Minister.

While his and Tipu’s over-riding aim has been to obtain a visa to work in the UK, Billal continued to hone his talents, working in the kitchens of five-star hotels and securing the position of head chef in the first class lounge of Qatar Airways.

Billal has finally been successful in getting a UK visa and Tipu was eager to tap into his talent of carving fruits and vegetables to create spectacular-looking sculptures at the earliest opportunity, so invited him to Northampton to help with the Valentine Day celebrations.

The creations formed the centrepiece of a display for more than 40 diners who booked tables at the restaurant for their special evening, while Tipu and his team of chefs prepared the main meals.

“I have been trying to get Billal to come and work with me at Tamarind for 10 years,” said Tipu. “I am so happy that, at last, it has become a reality.”

There is a distinct possibility that Tipu and Billal will work together in the future. The pair are discussing a possible joint venture of a new restaurant in Northampton, but for the time being they are just delighted that they have been able to work together in the UK for the first time.

Tamarind Restaurant, 151-153 Wellingborough Road, Northampton, NN1 4DX. Tel: 01604 231194. Website: tamarind-restaurant.co.uk

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