A Take on History: How Brits Came to Love Indian Cuisine

Although Chinese cuisine have recently been taking ground as one of the most loved ethnic cuisine in Britain, British beer-and-curry weekends are not going anywhere. Britons’ love affair with curry is dug way too deep into the roots of history for it to be displaced in a snap. No doubt, Indian curry is the comfort food of millions of Brits, and its popularity goes back almost four hundred years ago.

When Queen Elizabeth I Said Yes

At the dawn of the 17^th century, London merchants decided it would be a worthy undertaking to cross the Indian Ocean to see if they can trade with an exotic land called India. They formed a joint-stock company called the East India Company, the sole purpose of which was to establish trade with the East Indies. They filed a petition to Queen Elizabeth I for permission to set sail, and on 1600 the petition was granted and a royal charter was bestowed upon it. 

Amidst wars against Portuguese and Spanish forces, the company hadmanaged to become the most powerful and dominating trading corporation in India. This further strengthened Britain as a world power. Soon after, British people settled in India and intermarried with Indian women. Indian seamen, known as langars, also boarded British ships and landed in London. By 1810 there were an estimated 1400 langarson English land, and more Indians entered the country in the following years.

Brit’s Spicy Tastes 

It was not long before Brits took an interest in Indian cuisine. Curry powder was particularly popular even back then, leading to the publication of recipes and commercial production of curry powder in 1780. The Coffee House in Norris Street, Haymarket, Londonwas the first English restaurant to have offered curry on a menu in 1773. 

The first ever establishment that offered solely Indian food, however, was the Hindostanee Coffee House at Portman Square, London which opened in 1809. Owned by Dean Mahomet, the restaurant sought to provide “for the entertainment of Indian gentlemen, where they may enjoy the Hoakha, with real Chilm tobacco, and Indian dishes”. 

Since then, the love for Indian cuisine spread across the country, becoming one of the fastest growing food and drinkindustry sector. This exponential growth was partlytriggered in 1984 by Pat Chapman’s The Curry Club and Good Curry Guide, which publicised the cuisine and caused supermarkets to stock curry ingredients and chilled meals. Other publications also taught how to recreate curries at home. Asian cateringLondon, particularly Indian and Chinese catering, also boomed around this time. 

Indian Cuisine Today

Bangladesh is entered the catering industry around 1970, and since then dominated the industry of Indian wedding catering London. They own approximately 65 to 75% of the more than 9000 Indian restaurants in the country.

Chicken tikka masala is now often cited as the nation’s most favourite ethnic dish, even called by the then foreign secretary Robin Cook as “a true British national dish”. With the popularity of Indian foods, Bangladeshis will remain as top Asian caterers London.

Colonial relations play a huge role in Britain’s love for curry, and the dish will continue to represent a rich historical era when Britain dominated the world’s economic and political affairs.

The Clay Oven: Excellent Asian Wedding Caterers

A traditional Indian wedding reception is elaborate, grand and extravagant and it is not uncommon to see four or more stations of chefs preparing the food for the guests. Of course, the actual type of dishes served depends on the state or region in India the couple is based or came from. Here in the UK, while there are now several caterers who can do justice to Indian cuisines, not all can claim they can do your food the way you want them done. The Clay Oven is a bespoke caterer that has been offering authentic Indian wedding catering London and generally most kinds of regional Asian catering London since 1983. It has a restaurant at The Mall, Ealing, London, but it can also be contracted to provide external catering at external venues across the country. Moreover, The Clay Oven’s expert Asian caterers London have a wide repertoire of authentic regional recipes, although the specialty is of course Indian and Indian-inspired dishes.

After thirty years in the business of providing excellent Asian catering London, especially Indian wedding catering London, The Clay Oven restaurant’s popularity has grown so much that it has to expand in order to meet customer demand. This brought about a decision to build a new banquet suite facility in Wembley with suites designed to accommodate the needs of loyal customers. These luxurious venues have since served as the perfect setting for any and all celebrations, from small, intimate gatherings to large events gatherings that can be held at its Twin Suites which has the capacity to accommodate up to 800 guests. The modernisation of the facilities also included the provision of ample parking space. The new and expanded service offerings of The Clay Oven now includes catering at external venues across the country and providing every element necessary for a truly breath-taking event, from personalised menus and fabulous foods to décor, music, lighting and waiting staff.

As well as offering a range of external venues, The Clay Oven now also has its own suites that are appropriate and very popular for wedding functions, mehndis, parties and corporate events.

The Clay Oven Restaurant, located in the heart of London, Ealing, opened in 1983. It is now the largest single restaurant in the area with a capacity of 200 plus. We have the facility of sectioning the restaurant off as a stand-alone function room with a capacity of 100, perfect for smaller gatherings, complete with dance floor, DJ room and full lighting facilities. Why not visit us on a Sunday for our lunch time buffet?

An expansive event, involving hundreds of guests and seemingly endless details, can seem overwhelming to plan. The Clay Oven has expert Event Planners at your disposal who understand the demands of planning and are delighted to relieve you of this burden. Years of event management experience allow our Event Planners to develop every element of your event to suit your individual tastes and needs, creating an exclusive, bespoke service experience. Our award winning Chefs will also provide delicious and harmonious menu options tailored especially for your event that will delight you and your guests.

The Clay Oven offers catering services for exclusive outdoor and external venues of your choice or our Event Planner can assist you in selecting the perfect external venue. Whether your selection is a 5 Star hotel, countryside retreat or heritage location, or if you prefer the special delight of an outdoor venue defined by an elegant marquee, we will ensure that your event is truly memorable.

Where to find a fine dining establishment that offers authentic Indian wedding catering London

A traditional Indian wedding reception is elaborate, grand and extravagant and it is not uncommon to see four or more stations of chefs preparing the food for the guests. Of course, the actual type of dishes served depends on the state or region in India the couple is based or came from. Here in the UK, while there are now several caterers who can do justice to Indian cuisines, not all can claim they can do your food the way you want them done. The Clay Oven is a bespoke caterer that has been offering authentic Indian wedding catering London and generally most kinds of regional Asian catering London since 1983. It has a restaurant at The Mall, Ealing, London, but it can also be contracted to provide external catering at external venues across the country. Moreover, The Clay Oven’s expert Asian caterers London have a wide repertoire of authentic regional recipes, although the specialty is of course Indian and Indian-inspired dishes.

After thirty years in the business of providing excellent Asian catering London, especially Indian wedding catering London, The Clay Oven restaurant’s popularity has grown so much that it has to expand in order to meet customer demand. This brought about a decision to build a new banquet suite facility in Wembley with suites designed to accommodate the needs of loyal customers. These luxurious venues have since served as the perfect setting for any and all celebrations, from small, intimate gatherings to large events gatherings that can be held at its Twin Suites which has the capacity to accommodate up to 800 guests. The modernisation of the facilities also included the provision of ample parking space. The new and expanded service offerings of The Clay Oven now includes catering at external venues across the country and providing every element necessary for a truly breath-taking event, from personalised menus and fabulous foods to décor, music, lighting and waiting staff.

As well as offering a range of external venues, The Clay Oven now also has its own suites that are appropriate and very popular for wedding functions, mehndis, parties and corporate events.

The growth and expansion of the business notwithstanding, Asian caterers London The Clay Oven has remained true to its original mission and vision. It says, “Customer satisfaction is our top priority. Every aspect of our catering, event planning, and superbly fresh distinguished cuisines is driven by our desire to create a flawless event experience. Essential to our perfection is our highly trained staff. From the moment you present us with the honor of catering your celebration, our staff is devoted to your needs. Tantalising menus are created with your express wishes in mind, producing an event filled with dining delights. The Clay Oven is specially honored to help our customers celebrate their children’s birthdays – and then later – to happily extend that honour by helping them plan and celebrate their children’s weddings! The Clay Oven’s 30-year heritage has afforded many wonderful opportunities to cater events that become precious, life-long memories for our customers.”

The Clay Oven Cooks Up Your Wedding Reception

Looking for a taste of Asia in the roads of London? Want to taste the best of Indian cuisine for your wedding? The Clay Oven is here to soothe and fulfill your desire and craving for Asian food and cuisine.
Be transported into the Eastern mystique by tasting our rich and exquisite offerings. Create a heavenly, joyous and intimate moment while enjoying a magnificent Eastern feast prepared for your event.
The Clay Oven offers Asian catering London for weddings and other special occasions. We understand that your special occasions and celebrations merit only the best and the Clay Oven is very happy and proud to be a part of your celebrations. Whether you are holding a wedding breakfast, lunch, lunch or an intimate dinner, The Clay Oven can cover your gourmet needs.
As a restaurant situation in London, The Clay Oven lives up to the prestige, sophistication and charm of the city.
Our Promise
The Clay Oven promises an excellent array of Eastern feast, with each dish cooked to perfection. We are proud of our numerous courses, each delighting you and your guests. You can pick from our menu of chicken, lamb, prawns, vegetables, biryanis with bread and rice. Set your preference for mild, hot or very hot taste.
Every bite will be a happy memory and every morsel is rich, flavourful and unforgettable. You and your guests will also be delighted at the various kinds of food available in our buffet.
Fine Dining is The Clay Oven’s specialty and we are one of the finest Asian wedding caterers London. We bring the very best of Indian wedding catering London, along with the perfect background of your choice. Any castle, pavilion or location for your wedding feast will be complete with our food on the table, first rate service and your guests enjoying the celebration.
Whether your reception is inside an elegant pavilion or outside the castle grounds, The Clay Oven can prepare and serve your guests with rich, first rate food and excellent staff. Our service and our cuisine will definitely add value to your very special day.
Of course, we provide an excellent staff to wait upon you and your guests. Our staff is completely professionals, polite and helpful in serving food and drinks as well as assisting in your wedding reception. Rest assured that will attend to your reception needs before, during and after the reception.
The Clay Oven can promise you what you need in your wedding party, excellent staff, excellent and authentic Indian good food to share with everybody and a memory that you will never forget.
We can offer all these without breaking the budget for your wedding. We provide quality food for very affordable price for our restaurants and outdoor catering. In addition, you can expect that your guest will be filled with food as we serve very generous portion in all of our dishes.
With all these, The Clay Oven is the best Indian catering service for the best reception you will ever host.