Abdul Latif (restaurateur) facts for kids
| Born | 15 December 1954 Sylhet District, East Bengal, Pakistan (now Bangladesh) |
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| Died | 20 January 2008 (aged 53) Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England |
| Cooking style | Bangladeshi/Indian cuisine |
| Spouse | Neawarun Latif |
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Current restaurant(s)
Rupali
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Previous restaurant(s)
Curry Capital (formerly Rupali)
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Award(s) won
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Abdul Latif (Bengali: আব্দুল লতিফ; born December 15, 1954 – died January 20, 2008) was a famous chef and restaurant owner. He was born in Bangladesh and later became a British citizen. Abdul Latif was well-known in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, for his delicious curry dishes.
He became famous across the country because he often appeared in Viz magazine, a popular comic. He was especially known for a super-spicy dish called "Curry Hell."
Contents
About Abdul Latif
Abdul Latif was a very creative and generous person. He made a big impact with his restaurants and his unique ideas.
His Early Life
Abdul Latif was born in 1954 near the city of Sylhet, which is in Bangladesh. In 1969, when he was 15, he moved to the United Kingdom. He first settled in Manchester. After facing some difficulties, he decided to move north to Newcastle upon Tyne. He was married to Neawarun, and they had four daughters and two sons.
Starting His Restaurants
Abdul Latif's first job in the Newcastle area was as a waiter. He worked in a restaurant owned by one of his relatives in Whitley Bay. In 1977, he opened his very own restaurant in the center of Newcastle upon Tyne. He named it the Rupali. Later on, his restaurant was renamed Curry Capital.
Famous for "Curry Hell"
In 1987, Abdul Latif created a dish that made him very famous: "Curry Hell." He claimed it was "the world's hottest" curry. This dish was so incredibly spicy that it had four times more chili than a typical vindaloo curry. He offered "Curry Hell" for free to anyone who could finish the entire meal! This challenge became very popular and brought a lot of attention to his restaurant.
Amazing Achievements
Abdul Latif was known for his generosity and unique ideas.
- He offered free curry for five years to all soldiers who had served in Iraq.
- He also promised free curry for life to famous rugby player Jonny Wilkinson and football manager Graeme Souness.
In 2004, his restaurant made it into the Guinness World Records book. This was for the longest-distance curry delivery ever! He sent frozen vegetable biryani and peshwari naan bread all the way from Newcastle to Sydney, Australia. This amazing delivery was made by a motorcycle courier and an airplane, and it took four days to arrive.
He was often featured in the adult comic Viz. He gave the staff free curries, and he enjoyed the publicity, even though they sometimes showed him in a funny way.
In 1994, Abdul Latif bought the honorary title of the Lord of Harpole for £5,000. He was very proud to call himself Britain's first Bangladeshi Lord of the Manor. He even had a website called The New Lord, where he sold souvenirs and shared messages with his fans.
In 2003, he was also chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA). This award recognized his efforts to make a positive difference in society.
His Legacy
Abdul Latif left a lasting impact on his community and beyond.
His Passing
On January 20, 2008, Abdul Latif passed away at his home in Newcastle. He died from a heart attack.
After his death, a special motion was proposed in the British Parliament by Tim Farron, a Member of Parliament. This motion offered condolences to Abdul Latif's family. It also celebrated his huge contributions to the City of Newcastle, the Liberal Democrats (a political party), and Viz magazine.
On March 2, 2008, a well-attended memorial event was held at Newcastle Civic Centre to honor his memory.
