Press Releases Archives

CURRY AND COMEDY NIGHT FEEDS HOMELESS PROJECT’S BIG AMBITIONS

6th April 2017/in Press Releases /by Emily Elsworthy

Last Friday, comedy-lovers and curry-connoisseurs alike were in high spirits, at Itihaas’ Comedy Rum-Ball. Birmingham’s Botanical Gardens welcomed 270 guests, who came together for an evening of eating, drinking, and entertaining. Hosted by BBC Celebrity MasterChef finalist and famed comedian, Hardeep Singh Kohli, those in attendance not only raised the roof, but also vital funds for local homeless project Let’s Feed Brum. Altogether, the generous attendees donated a phenomenal £10,475 to the cause.

The second event of its sort, the comedy and curry night was designed to give back to those in need, using its first sold-out success as its inspiration. The Rum-Ball brought together the best in the business, with Itihaas’ head chef Pavneet Sangwan and Ampersand’s head chef Phil Bradley working with Hardeep to create the bespoke fusion menu. Joined by rum specialist, Alessio Franzese from London’s famous Rum & Sugar, the four-course meal saw each plate paired with a taster of the special spirit. A menu including salmon and goats’ cheese samosas, duck dosa salad, masala mackerel, and Jaipur mess, was meticulously matched with a measure of rum intended to complement the fusion flavours. Compered by the tongue-in-cheek Hardeep, the evening ticked every box, with sugar, spice, and all things nice.

Rum and comedy weren’t the only things to keep guests occupied between courses: a charity raffle and auction also ensured that invitees were entertained. The auction’s star prize of a luxury day sailing the Solent aboard the Rum Runner boat was coveted by the crowd, bringing in a generous bid of £1,900. Both the raffle and the auction saw all proceeds go to Let’s Feed Brum, making an incredible £10,475. These funds will help ease the lives of those on the streets, by providing food, drinks, and essential supplies. To put the total in to perspective, the money could fund 2,095 sleeping bags or 146,650 cups of tea and coffee.

Raj Rana, managing director of Itihaas and co-founder of Let’s Feed Brum, was particularly pleased with the night, saying:

“As one of the directors of Let’s Feed Brum, it was tremendously important to me that the night went well. However, I am absolutely blown away at how successful it was. The other directors and I are truly overwhelmed at the total raised, which has surpassed all our expectations! On behalf of us all, I want to say an enormous thank you to all that came and made the night as magical as it was – thanks to your kindness, we can make a difference to hundreds of people that are living on our streets.”

Plans are already in place for the next curry and comedy night, expected to take place in September. To make sure you get your tickets before they sell out, keep an eye on the Itihaas website. In the meantime, you can also get behind the Let’s Feed Brum cause by volunteering, donating, or fundraising: just visit the website to find out more.

WEST MIDLAND SAFARI PARK PARTNERSHIP SERVES UP NEW DEAL FOR ITIHAAS WEDDINGS

14th March 2017/in Press Releases /by Emily Elsworthy

West Midland Safari Park is taking a bite out of the Asian wedding market thanks to a new partnership that sees Itihaas’ award-winning catering team provide services to the venues’ three event spaces.

The five-year deal welcomes Itihaas, one of the UK’s top Indian restaurants, as the official Asian Events Catering Partner at West Midland Safari Park. The team, which already works at top events venues including Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Ricoh Arena, will now provide traditional Indian cuisine for events at Spring Grove House, Cellarz and Treetops Pavilion.

Sitting under the Safari Venues brand, the three venues welcome around 150 events a year and the team has seen a rise in Asian events over the past seven years. West Midland Safari Park commented:

“The service we provide at West Midland Safari Park is centred around our three stunning venues, which are set in the heart of a unique location. We’re seeing a rise in larger events, particularly within the Asian wedding market, and we wanted to ensure that we continued providing a bespoke and expert service.”

Ian Warrington – Safari Venues General Manager said, “I am delighted that we have signed a partnership with Itihaas; experts in Asian cuisine and also one of the most respected catering teams in the Midlands – and in fact, UK. Their dedicated team will complement our event planners and provide exquisite menus that suit our beautiful venues.”

With a restaurant based in the heart of Birmingham, Itihaas is one of the most established Indian restaurants in the UK. Its cuisine is inspired by the Mughul Era, when Indian dining was imperial and extravagant, which is seen not just through the décor of the restaurant but the food served up at Itihaas events.

Raj Rana, Managing Director at Itihaas comments:

“This is a hugely exciting partnership for the team at Itihaas; working with such a respected and unique set of venues. We have years of experience catering for Asian events and we’re continually striving for excellence, with innovative dishes that keep customers coming back to us. We are also developing more fusion menus, which are perfect for contemporary weddings, where guests want choice and the happy couple wants something that will make their big day stand out.

“We love being part of that journey and I cannot wait for the team to start serving up a storm at these wonderful West Midland Safari Park venues. We have already built a fantastic rapport with Ian Warrington, Venues General Manager; Kim Yarranton, Sales Executive; and the team, and we know that will shine through with the service we provide together.”

Located in the heart of Worcestershire, West Midland Safari Park has fast-become a venue of choice for weddings. Spring Grove House is a beautiful Georgian manor house, set in the heart of the countryside, which offers up to 180 guests the chance to enjoy stunning surroundings in a unique setting. For more lavish affairs, Treetops is a pavilion that can host 450 guests in a beautifully dressed space, which is already proving popular with larger weddings and events. Finally, Cellarz is a hidden gem beneath Spring Grove House that provides the perfect party space for 110 guests.

The three venues join Itihaas’ existing events partners, which include the ICC, Birmingham; The Great Hall, University of Birmingham; City Hall, Cardiff; Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire; Stratford Manor, Stratford-upon-Avon; and Warwick Castle, to name a few.

The partnership between West Midland Safari Park and Itihaas will see a wide variety of Asian and ethnic events hosted at the venue, and the Bride and Groom can even use the carousel and other attractions for wedding photography.

To enquire about hosting your event at West Midland Safari Park, visit www.safarivenues.co.uk and to find out more about how Itihaas can make your big day special, visit weddings.itihaas.co.uk.

GET READY TO RUM-BALL WITH A NIGHT OF CURRY AND COMEDY

27th January 2017/in Press Releases /by Emily Elsworthy

Spirits are set to be high this March, with the return of Itihaas’ popular curry and comedy night at Birmingham’s Botanical Gardens. Following the sold-out whisky-fuelled feast last September, the event is back on 31 March, giving guests the chance to indulge in a culinary feast like no other.

The Comedy Rum-Ball will see Itihaas’ head chef Pavneet Sangwan and comedian and chef Hardeep Singh Kohli join forces again, this time with Ampersand’s head chef Phil Bradley and rum specialist, Alessio Franzese from London’s famous Rum & Sugar in the Museum of London Docklands.

Combining comedy and curry, the experienced chefs have created a bespoke four-course fusion menu that starts with a selection of canapés, including samosas with a twist, mini fish and chips, and even a shot of soup. Guests will then sit down to enjoy a fabulous menu paired with the perfect rum tipple to accompany each course.

BBC Celebrity MasterChef finalist and famed comedian, Hardeep Singh Kohli, is looking forward to his return to the second city and said:

“After the tremendous success of September’s event, I can’t wait to serve up something just as exciting. During the evening, we hope to have mouths watering and sides splitting, so if you’re looking for an evening of fun and food in equal measure, you’d better book your tickets fast!”

Known for being a much-loved comedian and TV personality, Hardeep Singh Kohli is one of the UK’s finest Indian chefs. He will bring his cooking prowess to Birmingham for this special event, giving guests the chance to not only taste his award-winning cuisine but also enjoy entertainment and comedy in between courses when he takes to the stage.

During the evening, guests will also enjoy a hearty dose of rum to wash down their meals. Chosen by Alessio Franzese from award-winning London-based Rum & Sugar, a selection of fine rums will be served throughout the evening. Based in the historic and atmospheric warehouse at the Museum of London Docklands, Rum & Sugar boasts close to 200 rums, and a selection will be tasted during the Comedy Rum-Ball.

Whilst Hardeep aims to raise the roof, he will also be raising awareness of a cause close to home, as this year’s Comedy Rum-Ball will be supporting Let’s Feed Brum. A local campaign that hopes to help Birmingham’s homeless population, Let’s Feed Brum is uniting restaurants, businesses, and individuals to provide the city’s homeless with food, drink, essential supplies and friendship. Let’s Feed Brum hopes to create a pathway off the streets by providing the support that statutory services do not, with the aim of reducing homelessness in the city. If the event sells out, like the first did, then enough money will be raised to provide almost 4,000 sleeping bags or 780 five-litre flasks that would provide over 9million hot drinks a year.

Owner and Managing Director of Itihaas, Raj Rana, is a Director of Let’s Feed Brum, and hopes that the event will help raise vital funds for the homeless support group. He commented:

“The event is a wonderful excuse for a night out with your friends; an evening to indulge in food of the highest standards, with stellar entertainment and rum-galore!

“However, by supporting Let’s Feed Brum, it is so much more; it is a chance for the city to get together and show that they care about those in less fortunate circumstances than they are. The proceeds from the evening will go on to help hundreds of people throughout the year and we hope everyone gets behind our chosen cause.”

Tickets are on sale now, priced at £65 and can be booked via ticketing website ChiliTickets or by calling Itihaas directly on 0121 212 3383 or 07493 165 318.