In 2000, Cyrus was awarded an MBE in recognition of his contribution to education and training and for raising the general profile of the industry. Indeed, he has unremittingly focussed on sharing his extensive knowledge and skill with current and future chefs, as well as businesses, in the multi-billion pound tourism and hospitality industry. In 2004, Cyrus was made a honorary Professor of Thames Valley University’s prestigious London School of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure.

Cyrus is highly acclaimed for his unique style and widely acknowledged as the doyen of creative chefs working in Indian cuisine today. In 2004, he received the ITV Tio Pepe Award for ‘Most Outstanding Contribution to London Restaurants.’

For many years, Café Spice Namasté was the only Indian restaurant in the UK to be awarded the Investors in People (IiP) Standard, and in 2005, it enjoyed the distinction of becoming an Investors in People Champion Organisation. In recognition of his commitment, in 2006 Cyrus was invited to become a non-executive Director of IiP by Chief Executive Ruth Spellman. This was the culmination of years in the forefront of setting training standards for the industry, which began with a National Training Award in the early 1990s, and reached an apex in 2005 when Cyrus and his company received no less than 5 awards. Among the awards and citations gained over the years are:

• Sustainable City Award 2009- Highly commended & short listed in various categories.
• The Chris Beaumont Award at the Springboard Awards for Excellence 2008
• Finalists in the sustainability city awards for Environmental Improvement in SME’s 2008
• British Curry Awards Industry Personality of the Year 2007
• City AM /LBC Best restaurant for business lunches 2007
• Arena Accolade (2006)
• Cateys Education and Training Award (2005)
• Investors in People Champion Organisation (2005)
• Springboard Special Award (2005)
• Edge Employers Award (2005)
• Green Apple Award for Environmental Best Practice (2005)
• Tio Pepe ITV London Restaurant Awards (Outstanding Contribution to London Restaurants)
• BIBA 2005 Restaurant Personality of the Year
• BIBA 2004 Best Indian restaurant in the UK
• BIBA 2003 Best Front of House
• National Training Award 1997
• Culinary Honour of Merit – Epicurean World
• Master Chefs Society
• Best Indian Chef in the UK

‘Café Spice’ has also been a finalist in the Time Out Indian Restaurant of the Year Award in 1995 and 1996. It has been a finalist in The Carlton Restaurant of the Year Award, Best in Britain and Best Indian Restaurant Menu Awards from the Real Curry Restaurant Guide.

PRESS RELEASE

New Café Spice Namasté Beer Garden
Sponsored by Cobra Beer promises City an ‘Indian Summer’, whatever the weather!
July 2003. Cafe Spice Namasté, the UK’s premier Indian Gourmet restaurant and home of Cyrus, the Svengali of Spice, has today announced the creation of a unique Beer Garden to be built next to the restaurant. The garden will be accessible via a separate entrance in Magdalen Passage and will open its doors to the general public on the 24th July 2003.

This garden will be the only ‘Indian Beer Garden’ in the City and will not only serve refreshing beer and nibbles but will also feature an outside Tandoor where Cyrus Todiwala MBE will experiment with fresh and exciting ‘alfresco’ Indian recipes.

The design of the garden will be in-keeping with the Café Spice Namasté theme i.e. vibrant, hot colours with peaceful Parsee murals painted on the walls. Decking and tropical planting feature heavily, as well as a traditional mosaic bar where you will be able to taste the wonders of Beer with Indian delights and enjoy specially tailored cocktails. A range of exquisite Naan wraps and paninis will also be on offer.

“The beer garden is the perfect way to enjoy Indian food. The summer heat will compliment the flavour of the spices and will also provide perfect conditions for a Cobra to accompany the meal” Cyrus commented.

Boilerplates
Café Spice Namasté
Café Spice Namasté is open Monday to Friday for lunch (12pm-3pm) and dinner (6.15pm-10.30pm) and Saturdays for dinner only.
Café Spice Namasté is now one of the most highly awarded Indian restaurants in the UK today, with an elaborate and extensive menu incorporating the best of India with specialities and influences from all over the East and, often, with a European twist.
Café Spice also offers a superb take-away/delivery menu.

Cyrus
Cyrus Todiwala is Proprietor and Executive Chef of the Café Spice Namasté restaurant.
In 2000, Cyrus was awarded an MBE in recognition of his extensive knowledge, skill, commitment and expertise to the restaurant and catering industry

Media Brief

Background
For the ultimate in Indian dining Café Spice Namasté offers a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere with extraordinary mouth-watering dishes.

Namasté means welcome in Hindi and it is on the principle and philosophy of 'welcome' that Café Spice Namasté was initially conceived by Cyrus Todiwala MBE, and his partner Michael Gottlieb.

Café Spice Namasté is a small but expanding restaurant group which was set up in 1995 to serve Indian and Pan- Asian cuisine of the highest standard. It was established to redefine Indian food, décor and service and has done just that.

Cuisine
Café Spice Namasté is now one of the most highly awarded Indian restaurants in the UK today, with an elaborate and extensive menu incorporating the best of India with specialities and influences from all over the East and, often, with a European twist.

Café Spice has made great efforts to educate its customers about how the correct wine can complement and enhance the delicious cuisine and, to this end, has produced a Wines and Spice Guide which helps guests to choose an appropriate wine.

Café Spice offers an alternative to the traditional perception of Indian dining. Rare, unusual meats feature on the menu which is updated regularly with new and exciting dishes. All dishes use only the freshest of ingredients cooked with natural herbs and spices and organic produce where possible.

Café Spice is dedicated to promoting environmental awareness and has won a number of awards in recognition of their commitment.

Décor
The décor at Café Spice is vibrant, contemporary and bold to match the food that is served, with saffron, cinnamon and kasbah blue predominating the colour scheme.

The restaurant is airy and incorporates two large dining rooms with separated by a central bar and reception areas with décor in rich, spicy colours to give a contemporary feel that reflects the vibrancy in the food.

Staff
Café Spice is particularly proud of its attitude to its staff. In the pursuit of excellence at every level, the Company invests much time in its staff, with NVQ training, English language lessons and a structured training programme to create a competence-based approach to progress.

This approach has resulted in the Company being given the award 'Investors in People' and was in the very final national shortlist for the Millennium Training Awards. It is today probably the only Indian restaurant in the UK with such a certification.

Café Spice Related Businesses
Café Spice has extended its products to include a wide range of award winning chutneys; sauces and pickles, all made freshly on the premises with the finest ingredients. For a unique gift choose from the selection of chutney and pickle gift packs, all beautifully packaged and available in vegetarian and non-vegetarian varieties.

As well as their chutney and pickle range, Café Spice has introduced sandwiches, baguettes and wraps, all of which can be delivered directly to office or home. Café Spice is also launching its own range of freshly ground spices and blends to bring high quality spices to the enthusiast cook at home, as well as the professional.