The Asian Catering Federation (ACF) is a non-profit and non-political Bangladeshi professional organization representing the interests of British-Bangladeshi and broader Asian restaurant and catering businesses in the UK. Established to unite the diverse Asian food sector under one platform, the ACF advocates for industry recognition, supports members’ growth, and promotes culinary excellence. With a network spanning 30,000 Asian and Oriental restaurants, the ACF plays a pivotal role in shaping policies, fostering innovation, and enhancing the UK’s vibrant food culture.
ACF organizes two awards, the Asian Curry Awards and the Asian Restaurant Awards. These awards are open to professional chefs working in Bangladeshi, Burmese, Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Malaysian, Middle Eastern, Pakistani, Singaporean, Sri Lankan, Thai, Turkish, and Vietnamese restaurants and takeaways. The Asian Catering Federation brings together organisations and personnel within the Asian food industry. It works with the Federation of Bangladeshi Caterers UK, the Chinese Takeaway Association UK, and the Malaysian Restaurant Association.
Vision & Mission
The ACF’s core vision is to:
- Unite the British Bangladeshi and Asian caterers under a single, influential body to amplify their collective voice.
- Campaign for greater recognition of the industry’s economic and cultural contributions.
- Partner with the government and organizations to address key challenges like immigration policies and VAT rates.
- Provide training and career development to nurture talent and uphold high standards in the catering industry.
Key Services & Activities
The ACF delivers tangible benefits to its members through:
- Lobbying & Advocacy: Engaging policymakers on staffing shortages and taxation to support sustainable business growth.
- Legal & Tax Advice: Offering various legal, tax, and business advice through a list of approved advisors.
- Banking & Card Processing Assistance: Offering an exclusive range of benefits and discounts from banks, and low rates on merchant services.
- Training & Skill Development: Offering programs to enhance culinary expertise, health & safety compliance, and business management.
- Industry Awards: Hosting the pan-Asian restaurant awards, celebrating excellence across cuisines, including Bangladeshi, Chinese, Indian, Thai, and more.
- Networking & Collaboration: Facilitating partnerships among restaurateurs, suppliers, and industry leaders to drive innovation.
- Economic Impact Initiatives: Highlighting the sector’s £5+ billion contribution to the UK economy and its role in employment (over 100,000 jobs).
Membership Benefits
ACF offers restaurateurs and catering professionals membership for £250 per year, giving the following benefits:
- Exclusive industry insights and policy updates.
- Access to training programs and professional certifications.
- Networking opportunities with peers and government stakeholders.
- Marketing and promotional support to enhance business visibility.
- Representation in national discussions affecting the Asian food sector
Team:
Chairman: Yawar Khan