Spice Business Magazine, a Bangladeshi initiative, is published to support the Guild of Bangladeshi Restaurateurs in the UK. Founded in 1998 by British-Bangladeshi entrepreneur Enam Ali, the magazine serves as the UK’s premier quarterly trade publication. It is dedicated to the £4.2 billion British curry industry, which is predominantly driven by Bangladeshi entrepreneurs. It provides news and insights to industry professionals about Bangladeshi and Indian restaurant-related businesses. The magazine addresses critical challenges faced by South Asian restaurateurs, particularly those from Bangladesh. These restaurateurs operate over 85% of the UK’s “Indian” restaurants.
With its headquarters in Epsom, Surrey, Spice Business Magazine operates as a hybrid publication, a quarterly magazine with a circulation of 14,500. Print issues are distributed directly to restaurants, takeaways, suppliers, and industry stakeholders. The magazine’s online presence is an active digital extension of its print presence. It provides industry news updates, articles, features, event listings, directories, digital advertising opportunities, and other resources and information beyond its print edition.
Core Mission and Bangladeshi Initiative
The Spice Business Magazine was conceived to tackle systemic industry issues, including immigration constraints, skilled chef shortages, and cultural preservation. Key initiatives include:
- Promoter of Excellence: Championing industry excellence in the British curry scene, elevating standards and practices to set benchmarks for others to aspire to.
- Policy Advocacy: Advocating for policies, regulations, and initiatives that directly benefit the curry industry, ensuring its sustained growth and addressing challenges head-on, and campaigning for flexible immigration visas (“Vindaloo Visa”) to address chef shortages exacerbated by stringent UK policies.
- Cultural Promotion: Spearheading “Dine Bangladesh” (1994), which encouraged restaurants to adopt authentic Bangali names and menus, shifting away from generic “Indian” branding.
- Economic Empowerment: Highlighting trade opportunities for Bangladeshi exporters of spices, seafood, and agricultural products to supply the UK’s 12,000 curry establishments.
- Information and Education: The magazine publishes stories and educates about the evolution of the curry industry, highlighting both traditions and innovations.
Content and Impact
The magazine’s content includes operational guidance, industry trends, supplier networks, and policy updates. These are organized into sections such as Guidance, News, Events, and Insights. It also amplifies community achievements through:
- British Curry Awards: Founded in 2005 (also dubbed as the “Curry Oscars”), celebrating culinary excellence and Bangladeshi heritage.
- Global Business Conventions: Facilitating trade partnerships between UK restaurateurs and Bangladeshi producers.
- Digital Expansion: A robust website enhances its reach by featuring industry resources and utilizing advertising platforms.
Evolution
Beyond commerce, Spice Business Magazine fosters cultural pride among British Bangladeshis. It addresses second-generation reluctance to join the industry by reframing it as a prestigious career. The magazine evolved from a 42-page print journal, costing £2 per issue, to a multimedia hub. This reflects its adaptability in sustaining the curry sector’s legacy while navigating recessions, labor crises, and changing tastes. The magazine remains an essential voice for an industry that highlights both economic resilience and cultural fusion.
Team
Editor-in-Chief: Jeffrey Ali
Executive Director: Rumana Haque
Executive Director: Jahid Ali